Public transport users gathered at a bus stop on Avenida Epaminondas, Centro, during the first day of the bus workers' strike in Manaus — Photo: Patrick Marques/g1 AM
The bus workers' strike in Manaus paralyzed 50% of the bus fleet in the capital this Monday (9) and had consequences for public transport users on their way home. In the central region of the city, the scene was full of crowded stops, few buses and a lot of waiting.
The bus strike in Manaus began at 0:01 am. Bus workers demand payment of late wages. The Union of Passenger Transport Companies of the State of Amazonas (Sinetram) alleged that financial transfers were not made by the State Government, which made it impossible for payments to workers to be made. The State says it is up to date and that the alleged pending issue is being resolved in court.
Amid the impasse, attendant Valderlene Melo worked in the Center of Manaus and waited, on Avenida Epaminondas, for a bus to return home late this Monday afternoon. She said she had to take two buses to get to work in the morning due to the strike and hoped she wouldn't have to do the same on the way home.
"I've been here for about 15 minutes. In the morning I had to go to Arena da Amazônia, on Constantino Nery, and from there take another bus to get here. Now, I've been here for a while and I hope it won't take any longer," he said.
Attendant Valderlene Melo was waiting for a bus to return home on the first day of the bus workers' strike in Manaus. — Photo: Patrick Marques/g1 AM
At the Matriz Terminal, building technician Edilson Miranda had been waiting for buses 447 or 440 for around 40 minutes to return home after the day's work. According to him, the waiting time on normal days tends to be 15 to 20 minutes.
"Usually within 15 to 20 minutes it passes. Now I've been here all this time and there's no sign of when it will pass. It's complicated because we wait to get home and it's taking too long," he said.
Building technician Edilson Miranda complained about the delay in buses. — Photo: Patrick Marques/g1 AM
Bus workers demonstrate
Earlier, drivers and collectors from different companies held a demonstration in front of the Amazonas Government headquarters, on Avenida Brasil, in the Compensa neighborhood, West Zone of the capital. The workers demanded explanations about the transfers to the public transport system.
The union claims that there is conflicting information about payments to companies. According to the entity's president, Gilvancir Oliveira, the government claims to have made the transfers, while the companies claim not to have received the amounts.
"Our objective is to call someone from the State government to give an explanation to the category, because the government says it paid and the companies say it didn't. So, we want the governor to prove what he paid", said Gilvancir during the protest held in the morning.
Bus workers protest in front of the Amazonas Government headquarters during the bus strike and demand explanations from the State about the transfers to public transport companies — Photo: Jucélio Paiva/Rede Amazônica
Government says payments are up to date
In a note released this Monday, the Government of Amazonas stated that payments relating to student tuition fees are up to date.
According to the state Executive, a new transfer of approximately R$4 million, for the month of November, will be made next week. The government also reported that, since the beginning of the current administration, R$27 million has been paid to cover student tuition fees.
The State stated that its responsibility is limited to funding the benefit intended for students in the state education network and that the management and operation of urban public transport are the responsibility of the Municipality of Manaus.
The strike takes place amid another impasse in the capital's public transport: the suspension of new top-ups of the Free Student Pass. On Friday (6), the Amazonas Court ordered the blocking of R$5 million in Sinetram's financial assets until the benefit is reestablished.
Strike occurs during suspension of Student Free Pass
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 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.
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.
