Politics · Brazil · 1 hr ago
Lula proposes free public transport on weekends and holidays
President Lula proposed free public transport on weekends and holidays in Brazilian cities that have public transit.
He said he would send a constitutional amendment to Congress, linking the plan to the Senate's approval of ending the six-day workweek with one day off.
Lula said parliamentary allocations could help fund the plan, but the sources give no settled funding agreement.
A municipalities group gave a preliminary estimate of 50 billion to 60 billion reais to provide free rides nationwide; the exact cost remains uncertain.
The proposal would affect fares and public spending, and one consultancy estimated it could lower Brazil's inflation rate by 0.25 percentage points.
Some cities already offer free rides on non-working days, while others do not.
Congress would need to approve the amendment, which must pass required stages and may take longer than an ordinary bill.
One source says Lula plans to submit it in 2027 if re-elected; the other says he did not specify when he would send it.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he would propose a constitutional amendment to make public transport free on weekends in cities with collective transport.
The proposal would be sent to Congress and, according to Estadão, would be put forward in 2027 if Lula is re-elected.
Lula said parliamentary amendments would help fund the measure.
The announcement came a day after the Senate approved ending the 6x1 work schedule, which gives workers two days off.
The estimated nationwide cost of free fares is uncertain, with a preliminary municipal estimate putting it at R$50 billion to R$60 billion.
- Who
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva proposed the measure.
- What
- He said he would send Congress a constitutional amendment for free public transport on weekends. Estadão also says the proposal covers holidays.
- When
- He announced it on October 15, 2026. Estadão says it would be proposed in 2027 if he is re-elected.
- Where
- In Brazilian cities that have public transport.
- Why
- Lula linked the proposal to giving workers more opportunity to travel and spend time with family on days off. He said parliamentary amendments could help pay for it.
Lula and supporters of free fares
Fiscal and cost concerns
Funding
Lula and supporters of free fares
Lula said parliamentary amendments could help fund free weekend transport.
Fiscal and cost concerns
Ministers had said there was no room in the fiscal framework for the policy, and the cost of implementing it nationwide remains uncertain.
Cost estimate
Lula and supporters of free fares
Lula proposed free fares as a measure for cities with public transport.
Fiscal and cost concerns
The National Confederation of Municipalities preliminarily estimated the cost at R$50 billion to R$60 billion.
The Senate approved ending the 6x1 work schedule, according to Folha.
Lula announced that he would propose a constitutional amendment for free public transport on weekends.
Estadão reported that Lula would propose the amendment that year if he is re-elected.
- Proposal
- Constitutional amendment for free public transport on weekends
- Coverage
- Cities in Brazil with public transport
- Funding
- Lula said parliamentary amendments would help pay for the measure
- Estimated cost
- R$50 billion–R$60 billion, according to a preliminary estimate by the National Confederation of Municipalities
- Existing free fares
- 138 Brazilian cities, according to Estadão
3 sources
What people are saying
I will send a constitutional amendment to Congress guaranteeing free weekend transport in all cities in this country that have public transport.
And where are we going to get the money? We will share the cost with parliamentary amendments so we can ensure people can go out.
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Conquistamos o fim da escala 6x1 e agora é hora de avançar ainda mais! Vou enviar ao Congresso Nacional uma PEC para garantir passe livre nos finais de semana em todas as cidades brasileiras que tenham transporte coletivo. Porque o trabalhador e a trabalhadora merecem mais do