More than 1 million people without transportation.
Residents of five cities in the metropolitan region are suffering from a strike by bus drivers and conductors; Niterói and São Gonçalo were the most affected; illegal vans and "overcrowded" vehicles circulated in greater numbers on the streets; the union representing the category will hold a new assembly this Thursday afternoon.
Rio 247 with Agência Rio - At least 1 million and 300 thousand people from five municipalities in the Rio Metropolitan Region - Niterói, São Gonçalo, Maricá, Itaboraí and Tanguá - were affected by the bus drivers' strike declared in the early hours of Thursday morning (29).
On the afternoon of this Wednesday (28) it was already difficult to return home by bus in the five municipalities; the queues at the bus stops had more passengers waiting than usual.
Residents of Niterói and São Gonçalo were the most affected by the movement, which led the commander of the 12th BPM (Niterói), Lieutenant Colonel Wolney Dias, to reinforce policing around the João Goulart Bus Terminal and the Araribóia Station, in downtown Niterói, where there were some minor disturbances.
Traffic was chaotic in Niterói because many people had to drive to work. Congestion hit important roads, such as Avenida Roberto Silveira and Alameda São Boaventura, where the bus lane was opened up due to a lack of buses. The ferry company Barcas S/A also increased the number of extra trips to avoid congestion at the João Goulart Bus Terminal and the Araribóia Station, where the lines were enormous.
The number of vans and minibuses circulating on the streets of the municipalities affected by the strike movement increased, and users complained that drivers raised fares. Taxis and so-called "overcrowded" vehicles took advantage of the situation and charged more for the trip; private cars charged up to R$ 5,00 per passenger.
The Union of Road Passenger Transport Workers of Niterói to Arraial do Cabo (Sintronac) reported that the category's demands are a 16% salary increase, an end to dual functions, a 50% increase in the value of the basic food basket, and the elimination of the junior driver position, while the proposal presented by the companies was a 10% salary increase and a 25% increase in the basic food basket. The union also informed that, to avoid problems with the Ministry of Labor, 40% of the workforce will remain on duty during the strike.
However, the number of buses only increased after 11 am; few buses were circulating in the city of Niterói; in São Gonçalo the number was even lower, according to city residents.
Manicurist Maria José de Freitas went home and canceled her appointments. "There are no buses. I've been here in Tribobó (São Gonçalo) for over an hour and not a single one has come," she said.
Professor Virgínia Fonseca arrived late, after waiting for the bus for more than an hour and a half to go from Ingá to the ocean region. "And I only arrived because of a packed bus, otherwise I wouldn't have made it to work," she commented.
Administrative assistant Wilian Freitas, who works at a bakery in the coastal region, also arrived late to work; he left home at 5:30 am and arrived after 9 am. "I waited for the bus, like every day, there in Alcântara (São Gonçalo) for more than two hours and only managed to arrive now," he said.
The Sintronac union leadership stated in an interview with Radio CBN that they are maintaining 40% of the fleet on the streets and that they see no chance of negotiation with the companies for the time being.