São Paulo's city hall announced the Bilhete Único integrated fare for buses, metro, and CPTM will increase from R$ 8.90 to R$ 9.38 on January 6, 2026—a 5.39% rise above inflation. This follows bus fare hikes to R$ 5.30 (city) and R$ 5.40 (metro/train, state). PT councilors Dheison Silva and Nabil Bonduki have sued over the bus adjustment's legality and timing, with the Public Prosecutor's Office demanding explanations.
São Paulo city hall announced on December 31, 2025, that the integrated Bilhete Único Comum fare will rise from R$ 8.90 to R$ 9.38—a 5.39% increase exceeding the 3.9% IPCA inflation. Vale-transporte users face a hike from R$ 10.71 to R$ 11.32 (5.69%). New fares apply from January 6, 2026; recharges until January 5 use old rates, with 2025 balances valid at prior prices for 180 days.
This builds on Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB)'s December 29 announcement of a 6% bus fare increase to R$ 5.30 (above inflation but below IPC-Fipe transport index), and Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos)' 3.8% metro/CPTM rise to R$ 5.40 (below IPCA).
Legal challenges mount: Councilor Dheison Silva (PT) filed suit on December 30 alleging the bus hike used an irregular administrative memo without mayoral decree or CMTT approval, violating law; the Public Prosecutor's Office demands city hall explanations within 48 hours. Separately, Councilor Nabil Bonduki (PT) sued to suspend the January 2 CMTT meeting validating the hike, citing inadequate debate during year-end recess. City hall claims no notification and plans an extraordinary CMTT session January 2.
Context: Bus fares rose 13.6% in 2024 (R$4.40 to R$5); since 2020, up 20.45% vs. 38.4% inflation.
