Curitiba transit firms warn driver shortage as 6‑day workweek ends

The termination of the 6 × 1 work schedule for bus drivers in Curitiba and its metropolitan area has prompted transport companies to raise alarms over a potential shortage of qualified drivers and possible impacts on bus service. The city’s public‑transport system currently employs just over 2,500 drivers, and operators fear that the new weekly rest days will force immediate hiring, increasing payroll costs that already represent about 50% of operating expenses.

Industry representatives, including Curitibus president Angelo Gulin, stress that the transition should be gradual to safeguard service reliability. The municipal concessionaire Urbs (Urbanização de Curitiba S.A.) rejects claims of any imminent fleet reduction or service cuts, stating the schedule change will not affect line operations. The Paraná Public Labor Ministry (MPT‑PR) supports the shift, noting that reduced overtime may lower absenteeism and that the overall cost impact is projected to be under 1% of operating expenses. Automation in fare collection and modernized buses are also cited as mitigating factors for financial strain.