Rio De Janeiro And Sao Paulo Revoke Fare Hikes
Brazil's two biggest cities revoked an increase in public transportation fares, Sao Paulo Governor Geraldo Alckmin and Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes said on Wednesday (June 19), following the largest protests seen in the country in 20 years.
Paes made the announcement during an afternoon news conference while thousands demonstrated in the city of Niteroi which is joined to Rio by a bridge across a bay.
He said starting Thursday (June 20) the regular bus fare would drop from $2.95 reals to $2.75 reals or about $1.33 in U.S. dollars to $1.24 dollars.
The reduction reverts to the price passengers paid up until May 31 when the fare was increased.
However, the mayor said the loss in revenue could have a negative impact on other city services.
Several smaller Brazilian cities have already suspended fare increases and the Governor of the state of Sao Paulo, Geraldo Alckmin and the mayor of the city of Sao Paulo, Fernando Haddad, announced a similar plan for that city during a joint news conference also on Wednesday.
It is unclear if the fare reductions will appease protesters who have now adopted a variety of causes ranging from corruption to education a year before Brazil hosts the football World Cup.
Presented by Adam Justice