UFAC students vote to strike over Rio Branco bus crisis

Students at the Federal University of Acre (UFAC) approved a strike in an assembly on 9 March, demanding that municipal authorities restore the city's public‑bus service. The protest follows a court order that seized 50 buses from one operator, with 38 removed on the night of 30 February and the remaining fleet operating at reduced capacity, leaving thousands of passengers, including many students, unable to reach the campus.

The university’s student directorate and the Psychology Academic Center issued statements urging the university to adopt exceptional measures to offset the academic and psychological harm caused by the transport shutdown. They highlighted missed classes, internships, research activities and increased stress and insecurity among students and the broader population.

“The municipality must guarantee quality transport so we can be in the classroom and finish our studies,” said Rubsclei, president of UFAC’s Central Student Directory. The strike aims to pressure the city government to resolve the crisis while the university evaluates ways to protect students’ right to education and mental health.