13.7 kilometers of speed, efficience and technology

(Panama, April 9^th, 2014). Panamanians celebrated the entry into operations of Line 1 of the Panama Metro, the first in Central America, with 13.7 kilometers in length, of which 7.5 are underground, 4.9 are elevated, and 1.5 in trenches. On Monday, April 5^th, its first day of normal operation, 180,000 users boarded the trains.

The work, which took 38 months for its construction and a few test months in which close to 12,000 users participated, offers a modern system of high technology, fast, efficient, and safe, with a capacity to mobilize 30,000 passengers in less than an hour with its 23-minute run.

During the inauguration act, Susana Pinilla, CAF's Director Representative in Panama, highlighted that, "the transportation system is a great step to improve the quality of life of the inhabitants of Panama City, in which CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, has contributed close to USD 600 million, 33 percent of the total, representing the main source of multilateral financing".

Pinilla added that, "the positive effect of such infrastructures is more than proven, both for Metro users, as well as for those who continue using their cars, as congestion and the wear of the roads decreases, while at the same time, reducing contamination levels". She concluded that, "Lima's metro, which CAF has always supported, is an example of this".

CAF will continue supporting the development of Lines Two and Three of the Panama Metro, through a non-reimbursable technical cooperation of USD 1 million for the studies of the second line, as well as financing for both.