What Happened
An express bus on the Colón-Panama route was robbed at the transportation terminal in the city of Colón after completing its last trip of the day. The driver arrived at about 8:30 p.m. and, after dropping off the final passenger, he and his assistant went to the back of the terminal, where a car wash area is used to clean the bus.
There, several armed criminals attacked them, striking those on the bus with the butt of their weapons and taking the day’s earnings. The bus had already made four trips that day and can carry up to 75 passengers.
Passenger Concerns
The robbery has revived fears among regular users of the route, who worry about being targeted by thieves. In previous years, criminals have reportedly posed as passengers on buses leaving both the Albrook terminal in Panama City and the transport terminal in Colón, making the route a continuing concern for commuters.
The incident underscores the risks faced by transport workers and passengers at busy terminals, especially during evening hours when buses finish service and handle cash collected during the day.
Why It Matters
The Colón-Panama corridor is one of the country’s most important transport links, connecting the Caribbean province of Colón with the capital area. Incidents like this can deepen public anxiety around bus travel and highlight the vulnerability of workers who operate cash-based transportation services.
For passengers, the robbery is another reminder that major terminals remain potential targets for organized street crime. For operators, it adds pressure to strengthen safety measures around loading areas, cleaning zones, and terminal exits where buses may be exposed.