Manaus bus drivers' strike intensifies amid funding dispute

A citywide bus drivers' strike began on Monday, 20 July, in Manaus, Amazonas, halting 100 % of the municipal fleet and disrupting transport for thousands of commuters. Mayor Renato Júnior blamed the state government’s unpaid obligations to the transport union Sinetram, noting that the municipality had already transferred R$ 284 million for the 2026 service and that the state’s debt to the union was about R$ 44 million.

State Vice‑Governor Serafim Corrêa announced a R$ 18 million payment to Sinetram covering the student free‑pass subsidy for February–July 2026, asserting the state was complying with a court‑ordered R$ 3 million monthly payment and denying that the strike was caused by the funding shortfall. The union later reported that 80 % of the bus fleet resumed operation on Tuesday morning, after a labour court order required at least that level of service. Meanwhile, the union of drivers released half of the fleet to alleviate passenger hardship.

The dispute has become a political issue, with former mayor David Almeida and other candidates also accusing the state of breaching a free‑pass agreement, while Serafim Corrêa was confirmed as a pre‑candidate for the state vice‑governorship.