The surprise bus drivers and conductors strike in São Paulo, affecting 3.3 million passengers on the afternoon of December 9, 2025, was suspended after a meeting with Mayor Ricardo Nunes. Companies committed to paying the 13th salary on December 12, under threat of contract termination. The chaos included empty terminals, overcrowded subways, and a record congestion in the city.
On the afternoon of December 9, 2025, bus drivers and conductors from 15 companies in São Paulo began a surprise strike after receiving a letter from operators requesting a delay in the 13th salary payment, originally due on December 12, without specifying it would be only five days. The Union of Bus Drivers and Urban Road Transport Workers (SindMotoristas), led by Valdemir dos Santos Soares, responded to the decentralized mobilization via WhatsApp groups, halting service around 5 p.m. and affecting 3.3 million passengers.
Terminals like Pinheiros were left empty, with vague announcements about 'operational problems.' Passengers like 37-year-old Eliana and 18-year-old Aline reported being caught off guard and turned to overcrowded subways and CPTM trains running at reduced speeds due to failures. App-based ride fares surged to up to R$150, and traffic hit a record 1,486 km of slowdown by 7 p.m., worsened by rain.
São Paulo's city hall, under Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB), suspended the municipal rodízio, filed a police report against the companies for the unannounced stoppage, and called a 7:30 p.m. meeting with company owners and union leaders. After 1.5 hours of talks, the companies, represented by SPUrbanuss, admitted the letter's error and pledged to pay the 13th salary on December 12. Nunes warned: 'No company will remain under contract with the São Paulo city hall that fails to honor payments to its workers.'
Experts deem the strike illegal for lacking an assembly and 72-hour prior notice for essential services. By 10 p.m., buses were resuming in areas like Santo Amaro, though some drivers resisted. The union canceled a nighttime assembly and assured normal resumption. Companies cite financial woes tied to the quadrennial contract review, but the city hall states subsidies are up to date.
