Summary.
The bill establishes an economic framework for public services provided by the North, East, and South Corridors. It aims to regulate toll caps, set percentage limits on toll adjustments per segment, and provide a temporary toll exemption during emergencies, natural disasters, or road blockages. Its provisions would also apply to any other existing toll road insofar as they are compatible with its nature and legal framework.
For private cars, it proposes a maximum toll of 0.75 balboas (B/. 0.75) per segment. For public transit buses, the maximum would be 2.50 balboas (B/. 2.50) per segment. For other vehicle types, the cap would be the maximum toll applicable when the proposed law takes effect. Tolls could not exceed these limits except through the adjustments expressly provided for in the bill.
The bill permits periodic adjustments to toll road rates, subject to a maximum of 3.5% of the base rate and no more than one adjustment every two years. The base rate may or may not equal the maximum toll. If the current rate is below that maximum, the current rate serves as the basis for calculating the adjustment. If the base rate equals the maximum, the permitted increase is limited to 3.5%, under the preceding rule.
In the Republic of Panama, the bill provides for temporary toll-free use of the North, East, and South Corridors and other toll roads during emergencies, natural disasters, or road blockages. The exemption would cover all users for as long as those circumstances persist. The Executive Branch (Órgano Ejecutivo), acting through the Ministry of Public Security (Ministerio de Seguridad), would order its application. The bill defines a road blockage as a total or partial interruption of normal traffic caused by obstacles; a natural disaster as a natural event that causes damage or serious danger; and an emergency as a situation recognized by the competent authority that requires immediate exceptional measures. It also defines the base rate and the infrastructure covered as toll roads.
Revenue lost because of the exemption could be compensated with emergency funds from the General State Budget or through budget transfers authorized by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas) and approved. The bill therefore concerns the Executive Branch, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, as well as toll road users, road infrastructure operators, private transportation, and public transportation.
What it proposes.
- Maximum tolls per segment.
- Percentage and frequency of toll adjustments.
- Temporary toll exemption during emergencies, natural disasters, or road blockages.
- Possible compensation for revenue lost because of the exemption.
Who it would affect.
- Users of the North, East, and South Corridors.
- Users of other existing toll roads, where applicable.
- Toll road operators.
- Authorities responsible for ordering the exemption and authorizing budget transfers.
Key points.
- The proposed framework covers the North, East, and South Corridors and other existing toll roads, to the extent compatible with their nature and legal framework.Arts. 1-2
- The toll per segment would be capped at 0.75 balboas (B/. 0.75) for private cars and 2.50 balboas (B/. 2.50) for public transit buses.Art. 3
- For other vehicles, the cap would be the maximum toll applicable when the proposed law takes effect.Art. 3
- Adjustments could not exceed 3.5% of the base rate or be applied more than once every two years.Arts. 4-5
- All users would be temporarily exempt from tolls during emergencies, natural disasters, or road blockages; the Executive Branch, acting through the Ministry of Public Security, would order the measure.Arts. 6-7
- The bill defines road blockage, natural disaster, emergency, base rate, and toll road.Art. 8
- Lost revenue could be compensated with emergency funds from the General State Budget or through budget transfers authorized by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and approved.Art. 9