Manaus student free pass suspended due to government payment delays

The student free pass program for public school students in Manaus has been temporarily suspended due to unpaid debts by the Amazonas State Government. Students reported being surprised by the suspension, discovering the block at bus turnstiles without prior warning.

Sinetram, the union representing passenger transport companies, notified users via a mobile platform that the benefit is suspended because of pending payments from the state government. The union claims that arrears date back to 2025 and that transport companies lack the resources to continue providing credits without the settlement of these debts.

The financial impasse was recently discussed in a conciliation hearing at the Regional Labor Court of the 11th Region, which concluded without an agreement. In response to the situation, members of the Manaus Municipal Chamber and the Legislative Assembly of Amazonas have called for transparency regarding the transfer of funds and have proposed meetings between management and stakeholders to resolve the crisis and restore the service.