Gleisi: all metropolitan regions will have transportation subsidies.

Paraná News - In an interview with Rádio CBN Curitiba last Monday (25), gubernatorial candidate Gleisi Hoffmann reaffirmed her commitment to guaranteeing state subsidies for public transport in all legally constituted metropolitan regions of Paraná.

According to the proposal, in addition to Curitiba, the metropolitan regions of Londrina, Maringá, and Umuarama would also have an integrated network and receive the subsidy. "We want to create a legal policy, meaning one that doesn't depend solely on agreements for subsidizing public transportation in Curitiba and the governor's political convenience. Clear and technical criteria are needed, and it must be established by law. This is a major challenge for our cities and urban centers today. It is the state government's role to assist in this policy and integration for these legally constituted regions," said Gleisi.

the subsidy

Currently, the state government subsidizes the Integrated Transportation Network (RIT), which includes Curitiba and 13 other municipalities, with R$ 7,7 million/month. The city government of the capital contributes another R$ 4,5 million/month to maintain the fare at the current R$ 2,70.

To ensure a fairer fare in other metropolitan regions, it is estimated that the state subsidy should be R$ 2,2 million/month for Londrina, R$ 1,6 million/month for Maringá, and R$ 1,2 million/month for Umuarama.

“We are securing subsidies for the Curitiba region and extending them to other legally constituted metropolitan regions. This is how public policy is made. With responsibility and planning,” Gleisi added.

The approximate calculation is based on the number of municipalities and passengers in each region and the current value of fares. "It's important that these cities have an integrated transportation network, as is the case in Curitiba. Only then will we be able to benefit a greater number of people," explains the candidate.

If the metropolitan regions of Curitiba, Londrina, Maringá, and Umuarama are added together, the annual cost of the subsidy will be approximately R$ 150 million.

“With Paraná well managed, we will have resources. We just need to better define the priorities. The current governor, for example, increased spending on advertising by more than 668% from 2011 to 2012. In the last three years, he spent an average of R$ 145 million/year on advertising. But he says he doesn't have the money to help the people of Paraná pay a fairer fare for transportation,” concludes Gleisi.
 
Estimated monthly subsidy amounts:

Curitiba: R$ 7,7 million
Londrina: R$2,2 million
Maringá: R$ 1,6 million
Umuarama: R$ 1,2 million
TOTAL: R$ 12,7 million/month or R$ 154 million/year

Gleisi also highlighted her proposals in the area of ​​Public Security, where she will integrate the police forces, invest in prison officers, and build prisons with smaller capacity.

The candidate was also asked if there was any kind of political persecution in the transfer of R$ 817 million in loans from the federal government's Proinvest program to Paraná.

"Unfortunately, Paraná did not manage its finances properly, exceeding the limits set by the Fiscal Responsibility Law (LRF) with an excess of appointed positions – more than 4 positions – and failing to invest the minimum 12% of its revenue in healthcare. Therefore, the loan was not approved initially."

The senator pointed out that the states of São Paulo, Goiás, and Pará, which secured the loans, are governed by the PSDB party. "The current governor is complaining about the R$ 817 million, but Paraná's budget is over R$ 30 billion and has increased to R$ 35 billion this year," she said.

Therefore, in three and a half years of government, Beto Richa had the opportunity to manage Paraná with more than R$ 100 billion. "Could less than 1% have made that much of a difference?" Gleisi asked.

*With Consulting