Overview

• The tariff‑free transit bill (PL 60/2025) failed in a first‑round roll call after falling short of the 28 votes required for approval.
• Support initially included 22 councilor signatures but eroded before the vote under lobbying by the mayor’s office, business groups, and bus operators, with the mayor labeling the plan a “utopia.”
• Local media reported that at least seven municipal employees tied to councilors who opposed the mayor’s stance were dismissed following the vote.
• The proposal sought to replace vale‑transporte with a Public Transport Fee paid by employers, exempting firms with up to nine employees and charging R$185 per worker from the tenth employee onward.
• Proponents cite UFMG/Cedeplar research estimating nearly R$4 in benefits per R$1 invested and note the current R$5.75 fare covers about 25% of system revenue, while protests continued as supporters organized next steps.