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A University of Brasília (UnB) study indicates that eliminating public transport fares could significantly improve population access to health services, especially among lower-income groups. The research "Zero Fare in Public Transport as Income Distribution Policy", published in May 2026 by UnB's Institute of Political Science, analyzed transport systems in Brazil's 27 capitals and their impact on reducing inequalities. ?
Press quotes (1)
"O presente documento constitui o terceiro produto da pesquisa "Tarifa Zero e suas possibilidades de expansão no Brasil", desenvolvida no âmbito do Instituto de Ciência Política (IPOL) e do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Política (PPGCP) da Universidade de Brasília (UnB). O texto, que adotou como recorte territorial as 27 capitais brasileiras e seus respectivos sistemas metropolitanos de transporte, analisa o impacto da gratuidade no transporte público coletivo sob a ótica do combate às desigualdades de renda"
Brazil has already seen significant growth in zero-fare adoption: from just 18 small municipalities in 2013, the country reached 87 cities with free transport by November 2023, including nine with over 100,000 inhabitants. Maricá (RJ), with 197,000 inhabitants, has become the main reference, transporting 26 million people by bus in 2022. In São Paulo, Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB) announced in early 2023 his intention to abolish collective transport fares, a move seen as responding to electoral competition with Guilherme Boulos (PSOL), a historic defender of the measure. ?
Press quotes (3)
"By 2013, only 18, mostly small cities had FFTP. By November 2023, however, that figure had risen to 87 cities, including nine with over 100,000 inhabitants."
"Maricá (RJ), with 197 thousand inhabitants, is the most consolidated and most important reference. In 2022, the city buses had transported 26 million people"
"At the beginning of this year, São Paulo mayor Ricardo Nunes, an uncharismatic conservative politician of the centrist Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB), announced his intention to abolish fares in the collective public transport system. His move is an attempt to attract votes to be re-elected in the next municipal election, His main competitor is Guilherme Boulos of the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), a far-left candidate linked to housing movements and, for a long time, a supporter of zero-fare policies on public transport."
National implementation costs, however, represent a significant challenge. Finance Ministry studies, requested by President Lula from then-Minister Fernando Haddad, estimated that universal zero fare would cost over R$100 billion annually, compared to current R$75 billion spent on transport. Congressman Jilmar Tatto (PT) proposed replacing the current transport voucher system with a fixed employer contribution of R$200 monthly per worker (R$100 for companies with fewer than 10 employees) destined for municipal and state mobility funds. ?
Press quotes (2)
"At Lula's request, then-Finance Minister Fernando Haddad ordered preliminary studies showing that complete fare-free access, available nationwide every day, would cost over R$100 billion annually. Currently, the cost is about R$75 billion—of which roughly R$36 billion is paid directly by users, R$27 billion comes from employer-subsidized transport vouchers, and approximately R$12 billion is funded through subsidies from states and municipalities."
"Under the proposed model, the current transport voucher system—which allows employers to deduct up to 6% of a worker's base salary while covering the remaining cost—would be replaced by a fixed employer contribution per employee to municipal and state mobility funds: R$200 per month per worker, reduced to R$100 for companies with fewer than ten employees."
A 2024 survey by the National Transport Confederation (CNT), however, suggests that service quality surpasses price as a barrier to public transport use: lack of comfort was cited by 28.7% of respondents, followed by inflexible routes (20.7%) and long travel times (20.4%), while price ranked fourth at 11.8%. ?
Press quotes (1)
"A 2024 survey by the National Transport Confederation (CNT) found that service quality plays a larger role: lack of comfort was cited by 28.7% of respondents, followed by inflexible routes and schedules (20.7%) and long travel times (20.4%). Price ranked lower, at 11.8%."
UnB research analyzes zero-fare impact on health access with focus on racial inequalities
Individual cases illustrate how transport cost and delays affect access to medical treatment
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (1)
Black population is disproportionately affected by urban mobility barriers
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What is the specific timeline for implementing Jilmar Tatto's proposal in Congress?
Why it's still unknown: Sources do not inform the current status of the National Zero-Fare Program amendment's progress or voting deadlines.
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How do other major capitals besides São Paulo assess zero-fare viability?
Why it's still unknown: The study covers all 27 capitals, but sources don't detail specific positions from mayors or state governments on implementation.
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What is the budgetary impact of zero fare in cities that have already implemented the measure?
Why it's still unknown: Although Maricá is cited as a reference, there is no data on financial sustainability or funding sources for the 87 municipalities with zero fare.