No More Yellow Cars in Panama
As of January 2011, yellow will be a color reserved just for taxis in Panama.
The Transit and Ground Transportation Authority believes the measure will serve to regulate the country’s taxi business.
“We are worried about the unfair competition from drivers who use their yellow cars as pirate taxis, risking the safety of passengers,” Rafael Reyes, President of the Taxi Workers Union.
Not everyone agrees, however. The Institute of Consumer Rights objects saying that this clearly violates consumer rights and, what more, represents an additional costs to consumers who have to have their yellow cars painted any other color.
The transportation authority also said that car dealerships will be prohibited from selling yellow cars as well.
La Prensa reports.
"Yellow Car". A painting by Linda Ternoir.
Idea, if legal, sounds reasonable in theory–avoid taxi lookalikes–but unfair (maybe unintended) consequences? Taxi driver buys a used car, has to paint it yellow. Sells, now the price must consider cost of repainting non-yellow. What is the (typical) cost of repainting a car and foreseeable impact on riders?
Could you please tell me if this has become LAW. I am and expat who imported a yellow car in 2006. Will I have to paint my car?
Tomas
Well Tomas, we wish we had an answer for you and hope to some day. We called 502-0547, the number listed as telephone central for the ATTT, and the public relations number – no connection. Then, we called, the operations department and were referred to which then referred us to which then referred us to which then referred us to – no connection.
Tomas, if you’d like to be a Taxi driver you don’t have to paint your car. If you don’t want to be a Taxi driver, it’s totally legit to spray paint your car a different color.
Thank you so much for your efforts. I will try also. Is it correct that ATTT is the Transit Authority? Probably best to check with a lawyer.
Would you have a number or email address for the Institute of Consumer Rights? They should know if this law has passed or not.
You could try the Autoridad de Proteccion al Consumidor y Defensa de la Competencia at
Director of the Transit and Ground Transportation Authority Ricardo Fabrega said that the timing of the ban on yellow personal cars is under review since there are still pending issues such as establishing sanctions for having a yellow car. He thinks the resolution will possibly be approved in January 2011, Panama America reports.