The Chamber of Deputies approved on Wednesday (13) the legal framework for urban public collective transport, which separates the cost of operations from the fare paid by passengers and expands financing sources. The text goes to presidential sanction after Senate approval in December 2024.
The bill defines public transport as a social right and essential service, with shared management between the federal government, states and municipalities. It allows public authorities to set fares below the real cost, covering the difference with resources such as advertising, naming rights, commercial exploitation in stations and 60% of CIDE values applied in urban areas.
Gratuities and discounts, such as for the elderly and students, can no longer be funded by paying passengers and must be financed by specific public budgets. The text also guarantees priority circulation for collective transport over cars and motorcycles, in addition to requiring data transparency through the National Urban Mobility Information System.
Approved after pressure from mayors, the framework removes controversial articles that authorized fees such as urban tolls. Rapporteur José Priante stated that the text strengthens the role of public authorities as planner and regulator of the system.