GDF takes over operations of Canhedo's companies.
Bus companies Viação Planalto (Viplan), Lotáxi and Condor, controlled by the family of the former owner of Vasp, held, until a few months ago, control of 288 lines, approximately 30% of the public transport in the Federal District; the cost estimate of the decision has not yet been announced; the initiative was launched this Monday (23) and had the support of civil and military police and district employees.
Alex Rodrigues
Reporter Agência Brasil
Brasilia – The government of the Federal District (GDF) has taken control and operation of the bus companies Viação Planalto (Viplan), Lotáxi, and Condor, controlled by the family of the former owner of Vasp, Wagner Canhedo. Together, the three companies controlled, until a few months ago, 288 routes, approximately 30% of the public transportation system in the Federal District. An estimated cost of the decision has not yet been announced.
Considered legally by the GDF as an assumption, the initiative was launched today (23) and had the support of civil and military police and district government employees. With the intervention, the GDF will take over 214 lines and 744 buses operated by the Viplan Group. The other 74 lines previously operated by the three companies had already been taken over by transport companies selected through a public tender carried out as part of the reorganization of the local public transport system.
In a statement, the GDF (Government of the Federal District) informs that the takeover should not exceed 60 days, a period in which the contracts of the employees of the Viplan Group will be terminated by the GDF so that the workers can then be hired by the new operators of the system. The GDF promises that, during the same period, all old buses will be replaced by new ones, according to a schedule that has already been followed.
Almost ten months ago, in a similar operation, the GDF (Government of the Federal District) took control of three companies belonging to the Amaral Group (Viação Valmir Amaral, Rápido Veneza and Rápido Brasília), owned by former senator Valmir Amaral. At that time, Governor Agnelo Queiroz indicated that the GDF could intervene in other bus companies.
In both cases, the GDF (Government of the Federal District) cited passenger complaints and poor service provided by the companies to justify the intervention. Just as with the Amaral Group's transport companies, the operations of the Canhedo family's companies will be taken over by the Brasília Public Transport Company (TCB), a public company founded in 1961. The government also accuses the Viplan Group, which controls the three companies, of hindering the implementation of the new public transport system.
The Federal District Government (GDF) stated in a note that the decision demonstrates the government's determination to "fulfill its commitment to implementing a new, modern, efficient, safe, and dignified public transportation system for the population of the Federal District." According to the GDF, for over 40 years, the Viplan Group operated under precarious contracts, without proper oversight, causing harm to the population, who were forced to wait for hours at bus stops or travel in precarious and uncomfortable vehicles that often broke down during the journey.
In a brief statement to the press, Agnelo Queiroz assured that the drivers and conductors of the Viplan Group will not be harmed, as they will be hired by the company that will permanently replace Viação Planalto (Viplan), Lotáxi, and Condor. Also participating in the press conference were the vice-governor, Tadeu Filippelli, the Secretary of Transportation, José Walter Vazquez Filho, and the president of TCB, Carlos Alberto Koch.
Contacted by Agência Brasil, the Viplan Group, through its press office, stated that it will not comment.