Starting this Friday (2), at least 110 vehicles from the new company responsible for public transport in Rio Branco will begin operating without charging fares. The free service will be valid for a period of ten days, running from this Friday until the 11th of this month.
The new agreement established with JTP Transportes, which manages the operations of 'Com Rio Branco' in the capital, is being implemented under an emergency regime, as the previous contract with Ricco Transportes was not renewed. The expectation is that the total fleet will reach 120 vehicles.
The Municipal Superintendence of Transport and Traffic (RBTrans), communicating to Rede Amazônica Acre, clarified that the one-year contract signed between the city hall and JTP is worth approximately R$ 100 million, which will be released gradually upon proof of services provided by the company.
According to the city administration, the introduction of the new fleet aims to provide greater safety and comfort to passengers. The buses are equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, upholstered seats, accessibility features, and GPS monitoring. The delivery of these new vehicles took place on Thursday (1st).
Other information about the operation
Thursday (1st) also marked the end of Ricco Transportes' activities in public transport in Rio Branco. The emergency contract with this company had been signed for the first time in February 2022, after Empresa Auto Aviação Floresta suspended its operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In June of this year, Ricco had 50 buses seized by the courts due to a financial outstanding with another company, which resulted in the circulating fleet decreasing to less than half during the last days of the month. The transition for JTP Transportes to take over the service required a 90-day period.
Free service during the transition period
According to the bill presented by the city hall to the Chamber of Councilors and subsequently sanctioned in the State Official Gazette (DOE) this Thursday (1st), the fare exemption begins this Friday and remains valid until October 11th. This determination applies to all routes, journeys, schedules, and frequencies of the service.
RBTrans will be responsible for coordinating, executing, and monitoring this temporary free service. The document signed by Mayor Alysson Bestene specifies that, during the defined period, charging any amount related to the public fare from users is prohibited on all lines, schedules, and modes of service, including integrated trips.
Platform for purchasing transport vouchers
Companies located in Rio Branco have the option to purchase transport voucher credits for their employees through a new online portal, managed by the new operator JTP Transportes, which will operate the new fleets in the capital. Sales on this new system began on September 23rd.
The city informs that this update aims to increase practicality and security for both companies and employees who use public transport in Rio Branco. A representative of JTP Transportes informed g1 that the recharging processes for regular users and students will only begin after the official start of the company's operations.
The municipal management emphasizes that the change refers only to the access address, not requiring a new registration, as previous logins and passwords will be maintained. Furthermore, transport voucher cards already in use remain valid. RBTrans advises benefit-providing companies to notify their employees about the change in access. To keep the benefit active, the company just needs to recharge it through the website, accepting payments via bank transfer, PIX, or bank slip. The delivery of the new transport voucher cards must be done directly by the company, at the vehicle operator's garage in Rio Branco.