Bus strike in Manaus is suspended and 100% of buses should return to circulation on Tuesday

The bus workers' strike in Manaus will be suspended, starting on Tuesday (10), after a judicial decision issued earlier in the evening by the Amazonas Court ordering the return of the fleet at risk of paying a fine. The president of the Road Workers Union, Gilvancir Oliveira, stated that he will comply with the decision and that 100% of the fleet must run on Tuesday, until 10 am.

Manaus bus workers began an indefinite strike at 0:01 am this Monday (9), after recurring delays in paying salaries. According to the category's union, the strike affects 50% of the capital's bus fleet and continues until 11:59 pm on Monday.

According to Gilvancir, the strike may return if the category does not receive the payments charged by 10 am.

"If payment is not made by this time, the buses will begin to return to the depots, until there are no more buses circulating in the city," he said in a note.

Union points out salary delays and maintains open negotiations

The strike occurs amid another impasse in public transport in Manaus: the suspension of new recharges for the Free Student Pass in Manaus. On Friday (6), the Amazonas Court ordered the blocking of R$5 million in Sinetram's financial assets until the benefit is reestablished across the capital's entire public transport network.

The strike was approved at a meeting held on November 4th. Around 5am, buses left the Eucatur company garage, in the Cidade Nova neighborhood, in the North Zone of Manaus, with a reduced fleet.

In a statement, the Union of Urban Public Transport and Road Workers of Manaus and Metropolitan Region stated that delays in wages make it difficult to pay commitments and support workers' families.

The entity reported that it complied with the deadlines set out in the strike law and notified the companies and responsible bodies in advance.

Crowded passengers try to get on buses during a bus strike in Manaus. — Photo: Patrick Marques/g1 AM

City Hall says it keeps payments to the system up to date

In a note, Manaus City Hall, through the Municipal Institute of Urban Mobility (IMMU), reported that it is following the stoppage of bus stations and monitoring the operation of public transport.

The municipality stated that it is keeping payments to the public transport system up to date and that the strike was not motivated by a lack of payments from the city hall.

The administration also informed that it is following negotiations so that the service can be normalized as quickly as possible and to reduce inconvenience to passengers.

Strike occurs during suspension of Student Free Pass

The bus stoppage occurs while students in Manaus face the suspension of new top-ups for their Free Student Pass.

On Friday (6), the Amazonas Court ordered the blocking of R$5 million in Sinetram's financial assets until benefit top-ups are reestablished across the capital's entire public transport network.

The decision was taken by judge Ronnie Stone, from the 1st Public Finance Court of Manaus, after the companies' union failed to comply with a previous determination ordering the resumption of refills.

The judge highlighted the proximity of the National High School Exam (Enem) exams and the end of the school year.

Sinetram states that the release of new credits depends on the receipt of amounts intended to pay for student tickets. The Government of Amazonas, on the other hand, says that the transfers relating to 2026 are up to date and that the charge involves amounts from 2025, discussed in court.

The suspension of recharges was communicated by Sinetram on November 2nd. Students who still have a balance on their cards can continue using available credits.

Buses reduce operation to 50% outside peak hours after strike in Manaus, reports company union — Photo: Photo: Natália Póvoas/Rede Amazônica