The National Front of Mayors (FNP), at a meeting of representatives of the municipalities last Thursday (25) which will resume this Friday (26), expressed concern with the transport sector in the post-pandemic.
In an interview with CNN Radio, the president of the FNP, Edvaldo Nogueira, said that the readjustment of public transport fares “will be inevitable” in 2022, if measures to alleviate the sector – which are heavily affected by the pandemic – are not taken.
The increase in the price of diesel and the drop in passenger traffic, according to Edvaldo, who is also the mayor of Aracaju, contributed to the crisis in the sector.
The FNP suggested to Economy Minister Paulo Guedes two options. “Make diesel tax relief for the whole of Brazil, which would improve the situation for truck drivers and for public transport. It could be done via PEC or Provisional Measure.”
Another idea was presented in a study conducted by the FNP: “We suggest injecting resources to cover the free rate for the elderly and people with disabilities, which is equivalent to 5 billion reais.”
“It would be an immediate, short-term alternative to avoid an impactful readjustment in the tariff”, he added.
In a conversation with ministers Ciro Nogueira (Casa Civil) and Flávia Arruda (Secretary of Government), according to Edvaldo, the FNP “was optimistic that the government should adopt some of these measures.”
Christmas Eve
The mayor of Aracaju also said that the meeting this Friday will discuss the situation of the end-of-year festivities.
In his personal opinion, “the conditions for New Year’s Eve are not yet set. In Aracaju, we will not do it or we will hardly do it, although we are advanced in terms of vaccination.”
“It is not able to carry out large events, especially public ones, in private events, we have the possibility of control, with proof of vaccination, distance, it is possible to control, but it is difficult with public events”, he analyzed.
Nogueira believes that the discussion has to be taken “very calmly”, especially given the increase in Covid-19 cases in Europe.
Reference: CNN Brasil
