Brazilian cities Ouro Preto and Videira face public‑transport fare subsidy disputes

The Consórcio Rota Real, operator of Ouro Pretо’s bus system, warned that the municipal‑subsidised fare of R$ 2 could be suspended after August 7 if the city does not regularise delayed subsidy payments estimated at R$ 6 million. The consortium said the reduced fare, which covers about 60% of its revenue, depends on the municipality’s timely transfers and warned that passengers would return to paying the full fare of R$ 6.22 if the subsidies are not restored.

In a contrasting move, the municipality of Videira approved a subsidy that lowers the urban bus fare to R$ 4.50, avoiding a technical increase that would have raised the price to R$ 9.36 according to a study by the Agência Intermunicipal de Regulação de Serviços Públicos (AGIR). The reduction aims to keep public transport affordable and to ensure financial balance for the concession contract, with the subsidy bill to be debated in the city council.