Bus fares are expected to rise in Greater Recife.

PE247 – Members of the Metropolitan Transport Superior Council (CSTM) will discuss from 8 am this Friday (4), at the headquarters of the Grande Recife Transport Consortium, Cais de Santa Rita, in the city center, the possibility of an increase in bus fares in Grande Recife. The Union of Passenger Transport Companies of Pernambuco (Urbana/PE) is asking for a 13% readjustment, which would increase the fare from the current R$ 2,15 to R$ 2,43. GRCT will, in contrast, present an increase of 5,75%, raising the value of the fares to R$ 2,27.

GRCT argues that the 5,75% readjustment follows the National Consumer Price Index (IPCA) up to the second half of December 2012. On the other hand, according to the union, the increase should be 13% to cover bus maintenance and employee salaries.

The last fare increase was 6,5%, raising the price from R$2,00 to R$2,15 in January of last year. At the time, business owners were advocating for a 17,2% increase. This increase sparked intense protests, paralyzing traffic on major city avenues such as Conde da Boa Vista and Agamenon Magalhães. The mobilizations were primarily led by students, who are also represented on the CSTM (Municipal Transportation Council) along with representatives from the State Government, city halls, municipal councils of the Metropolitan Region, and civil society.

Through social media, students are trying to mobilize to protest against the possibility of a fare increase. On Facebook alone, more than a thousand have already shown support for the initiative to block the price hike.