Panama Expat Forum

GregUK2016
Joined 2016
Posts: 7

8 years ago

Busito "pirata"; need tips/advice from those who've been there....

8 years ago

Buenas tardes :)

Name's Greg; just moved to Panama with the missus, from the UK.

Well, actually, not quite "just moved". We were here last year, applied for our residency, and went back home. Both our applications were approved last month, and we have both just been issued "cedulas".

For now, we're settled in Panama City. We plan to be here a year, and maybe skip over to somewhere near the ocean next year, or thereabouts.

Anyway, I digress :=) I'm posting this because I need advice from those of you who've been involved in any way, in the transportation business. Particularly, the "busitos" which are used all over the city for transporting passengers along several routes.

They're called "pirate buses", or busito-pirata. I've done quite a bit of research;

-- I know they're not strictly legal (as they are not quite government-licensed)

-- I also know they're not going away ever, as they have become a necessity in Panama

-- I spoke to some of the drivers who run them, and asked many questions.

-- A lawyer also advised me that, if I indeed want to go ahead with this business-idea, I should be extra careful when getting someone to drive the busito for me. Yep, we all know how "easy" it is to find reliable and competent drivers in Panama.

Basically, there are risks. But, I've made up my mind to go ahead with this anyway. I'll probably start off with one busito, and buy a couple more down the road.

I just need input from any of you who have ever ventured into this line of work.

Cheers.

-Greg

William Russell

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Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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