Editing Transport in Panama

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Transport in [[Panama]] covers a vast network of routes predominantly traversed by cargo trucks and buses. The country's railway system, known as the [[Panama Canal Railway]], facilitates the transportation of both passengers and goods. With a total of 15,137 km of roads, its four [[Controlled-access highway|expressways]]—Corredor Sur, Corredor Norte, Autopista La Chorrera, and Colón Panama—are the arteries that link various parts of the country. [[Tocumen International Airport]] (PTY) is the key hub for international travel, ranking among the largest and most important airports in [[Latin America]]. Additionally, the renowned [[Panama Canal]] links the mere 60 km that separate the [[Pacific Ocean]] and [[Atlantic Ocean]], offering an alternative route for maritime cargo transportation, avoiding the need to sail around [[South America]].

Buses, the metro, taxis, and private car rental companies compose the urban transportation system. The introduction of the [[Metrobus (Panama)|Metrobus]] has gradually replaced the colorful "Diablo Rojo" buses, which once transported passengers around the city and its surrounding areas. Long-distance buses connect different regions within the country, departing from the Albrook Bus Terminal, next to the [[Albrook Mall]]. Nearly all major cities in Panama are interconnected via a network of bus terminals, with interstate and international routes extending into [[Central America]], including [[Mexico]]. The [[Panama Metro]] covers a significant portion of [[Panama City]] and is operated by Metro de Panamá S.A. This environmentally friendly railway system operates on electricity and inaugurated its first line in 2014. Despite the weather conditions, the transportation infrastructure in Panama facilitates both domestic and international travel.

==Rail transport==
[[File:08-130 ESCLUSAS DE MIRAFLORES - Flickr - Anelita PunkRock (1).jpg|thumb|[[Panama Canal locks#Mules|Mules]] on the ship handling tracks along with the locks of the Panama Canal]]
{{main article|Rail transport in Panama|Panama Metro}}
The [[Panama Canal Railway]] is the only passenger and freight [[Rail transport|railway]] in the country. It is a [[standard-gauge railway|standard-gauge]] railway running for 76&nbsp;km between [[Colón, Panama|Colón]] on the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic coast]] and Corozal (just outside the capital, [[Panama City]]) on the [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] coast. These are the only two stations on the line. Additionally, a [[broad-gauge railway]] exists alongside the [[Lock (water navigation)|locks]] of the [[Panama Canal]]. It is used by electric locomotives ([[Panama Canal#Mules|"Mules"]]) that assist in ship handling.

The [[Panama Metro]] is a [[rapid transit]] system in Panama City. Two lines are currently operational (opened in 2014 and 2019), with further lines planned.<ref>{{Cite web|date=24 July 2019|title=Mapping out the future of Panama City's metro system|url=https://www.bnamericas.com/en/features/mapping-out-the-future-of-panama-citys-metro-system|access-date=22 December 2020|website=BNamericas}}</ref>

==Road transport==
* Total: 15,137&nbsp;km
** ''paved:'' 6,351&nbsp;km (including 149&nbsp;km of expressways)
** ''unpaved:'' 8,785&nbsp;km (2010)

Panama has well-developed highways in particular, there are four main [[Controlled-access highway|expressways]]:

*Corredor Sur: [[Panama City]] to the [[Tocumen International Airport]], 26&nbsp;km ([[toll road]]).
*Corredor Norte: Panama City to Tocumen, 30&nbsp; km (toll road).
*Autopista La Chorrera: Panama City to [[La Chorrera, Panama|La Chorrera]], 44&nbsp;km (formerly a toll road, but free from tolls since 2009<ref>{{cite web|date=July 1, 2009|title=Eliminan peaje en autopista|url=https://www.prensa.com/impresa/economia/Eliminan-peaje-autopista_0_2601489903.html|trans-title=Highway tolls eliminated|website=La Prensa Panamá|language=es|access-date=January 21, 2025}}</ref>).
*Colón Expressway: Panama City to [[Colón, Panama|Colón]], 59&nbsp;km (toll road).

Because of recent upgrades, the [[Pan-American highway]] has four lanes that run from Panama City to [[Santiago de Veraguas]]. Also, a small section of the Pan-American highway from [[Tocumen]] to [[Pacora]], counting for 18&nbsp; km has been upgraded to a freeway. The same is true for the Pan-American stretch between [[David, Panama|David]] and [[Capacho]], on the border with [[Costa Rica]], adding 55&nbsp;km of freeway. The newly built freeway between [[David, Panama|David]] and [[Bajo Boquete]], extends for 38&nbsp;km.  This also applies to the [[Chitré]] - [[Las Tablas, Los Santos|Las Tablas]] freeway that extends for 30&nbsp;km.

Panama's roads, traffic, and transportation systems are generally safe, however, non-functioning traffic lights are common. Driving is often hazardous and demanding due to dense traffic, undisciplined driving habits, poorly maintained streets, and a lack of effective signs and traffic signals. On roads where poor lighting and driving conditions prevail, night driving is difficult. Night driving is particularly hazardous on the old Panama City – Colon highway.<ref name=travel>{{citation-attribution|1=[https://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_994.html "Panama: Country-specific information"] {{Webarchive|url=http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_994.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204211128/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_994.html |archive-date=2013-12-04  |date=2013-12-04 }}. [[U.S. Department of State]] (March 18, 2009). }}</ref>

Buses and taxis are not always maintained in a safe operating condition due to lack of regulatory enforcement, and since 2007 auto insurance has been mandatory in Panama.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mensual.prensa.com/mensual/contenido/2007/02/27/hoy/panorama/903035.html |title=Llegó la hora cero para el seguro vehicular obligatorio :: Prensa.com :: 2007 |access-date=2009-09-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928152251/http://mensual.prensa.com/mensual/contenido/2007/02/27/hoy/panorama/903035.html |archive-date=2011-09-28 }}</ref> Traffic in Panama moves on the right, and Panamanian law requires that drivers and passengers wear seat belts, but airbags are not mandatory.<ref name=travel/>

Flooding during the April to December rainy season occasionally makes city streets unusable for most vehicles, and washes out some roads in rural areas. In addition, rural areas are often poorly maintained and lack illumination at night. Such roads are generally less traveled and the availability of emergency roadside assistance is very limited. Road travel is more dangerous during the rainy season and from the time of Carnival through to [[Good Friday]]. Carnival starts the Saturday before [[Ash Wednesday]] and goes on for four days.<ref name=travel/>

==Water transport==
[[File:Exclusa Miraflores Canal de Panama Panorama.jpg|thumb|Mules maneuvering a ship through the [[Miraflores (Panama)|Miraflores locks]] in the Panama Canal.]]

There are 800&nbsp;km of [[waterway]]s [[navigable]] by shallow [[Draft (hull)|draft]] [[Ship|vessels]]. The [[Panama Canal]] runs for 82&nbsp;km across the country and is an important route for international freight ships traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

===Pipelines===
The [[Trans-Panama pipeline]] carries [[crude oil]] for 130&nbsp;km.

=== Ports and harbors ===

====Atlantic====
* [[Manzanillo International Terminal|Manzanillo]] (part of [[Colón Province|Colón]] province)
* [[Coco Solo]]

====Pacific====
*[[Balboa, Panama|Balboa]]

===Merchant marine===
{{Expand section|more information about foreign-registered ships|date=December 2020}}
Panama has an extensive international [[ship register]], comprising 7,860 ships. Most are owned by foreign countries{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}},<ref>{{Cite book|last=Panama Maritime Authority Main Headquarters|title=THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MAURITIUS ISLAND AND THE SHIP REGISTRY|year=2020|url=http://www.embassyofpanamainjapan.org/jp/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/0817-2020-THE-TRUTH-ABOUT-THE-MAURITIUS-ISLAND-AND-THE-SHIP-REGISTRY.pdf}}</ref> with Panama being a [[flag of convenience]].

As of 2019, the ship types were: [[Bulk carrier]] (2,567), [[container ship]] (609), [[general cargo]] (1,325), [[oil tanker]] (798), and others (2,561).<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 December 2020|title=Panama - Transportation - Merchant marine|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/panama/|access-date=22 December 2020|website=The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency}}</ref>

==Air transport==
{{Main|List of airports in Panama|Copa Airlines}}
[[Tocumen International Airport]] is the primary [[international airport]], located just east of Panama City. It is the hub of flag carrier [[Copa Airlines]]. Scheduled services operate to destinations in the [[Americas]], [[Europe]], [[Asia]] and the [[Middle East]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Panama City Tocumen International Airport (PTY/MPTO) - Routes|url=https://www.flightradar24.com/data/airports/pty/routes|access-date=22 December 2020|website=Flightradar24}}</ref>

There are 117 airports across the country, 57 with paved runways and 60 with unpaved runways.<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 December 2020|title=Panama - Transportation - Airports|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/panama/|access-date=22 December 2020|website=The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Panama]]
* [[Panama Railway]]
* [[Rail transport by country]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline}}
{{CIA World Factbook}}

{{Panama topics}}
{{Americas topic|Transport in}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transport In Panama}}
[[Category:Transport in Panama| ]]