Making Buses and Trains Free Across Brazil Would Cost $17 Billion a Year, Studies Show

Brazil · Public Policy

Key Facts

—Annual price tag Ending fares on all Brazil’s buses and trains would cost between R$90 billion and R$109 billion per year, roughly $17 to $20 billion, depending on service expansion.

—Who foots the bill Proposals center on a new monthly employer levy of about R$250 per formal employee, which would exempt most micro and small businesses from paying.

—Budget shock for big cities In São Paulo, fare-free transit could consume up to 20% of the municipal budget without dedicated new funding, squeezing out other essential investments.