Buses in circulation in the early evening of this Tuesday (21) in Manaus; fleet operates with a reduced number of vehicles. Jacqueline Nascimento/g1 AM The bus stoppage entered its third consecutive day this Wednesday (22), in Manaus. Buses continue to run at 80% of the fleet during peak hours and 50% during other periods, as determined by the Labor Court. The measure was established by the Regional Labor Court of the 11th Region (TRT-11), which determined that 80% of buses and workers should circulate between 6am and 9am and from 5pm to 8pm. At other times, the minimum percentage is 50%. According to the Road Workers Union, the strike began on Monday (20), after public transport companies failed to pay the first installment of the category's salaries within the deadline defined by the Court. ? Join the g1 AM channel on WhatsApp According to the union president, Givancir Oliveira, the decision was taken after bus companies continued to fail to meet payment deadlines. Strike interrupts bus circulation and affects passengers in Manaus At the beginning of July, the Regional Labor Court of the 11th Region (TRT-11) granted an injunction determining that public transport companies pay 40% of salaries by the 20th of each month — or on the previous business day, when the date falls on a weekend or holiday — and the remaining 60% by the fifth business day of the following month. Union of transport companies collects debt One of the arguments to justify the delay in the transfer of funds to public transport companies would be the debt of outstanding amounts related to the student free pass. According to the Union of Passenger Transport Companies of the State of Amazonas (Sinetram), the benefit could be affected by a debt of R$90.1 million. The entity reported that the outstanding amounts total R$90,184,740.19. Of this total, more than R$44 million would be the responsibility of the Government of Amazonas, while the remainder would be the responsibility of the City of Manaus. City Hall denies debts from 2026; IMMU clarifies liabilities from previous years On Tuesday (21), the mayor of Manaus, Renato Júnior, stated that the city hall has no pending issues with public transport relating to 2026. According to him, the municipality has already transferred around R$284 million to Sinetram this year. “The city hall owes nothing, not a single dollar for 2026 to public transport,” he declared. Hours later, the Municipal Institute of Urban Mobility (IMMU) reported that there are also no debts relating to 2026, but clarified that there is a liability of R$150.4 million relating to previous years. Of this total, around R$91 million is attributed to the Government of Amazonas and R$59 million corresponds to the municipality's financial responsibility. Government recognizes R$ 18 million and counters Sinetram's charge Still on Tuesday (21), vice-governor Serafim Corrêa contested the amount of debt indicated by Sinetram for the Student Free Pass. The State said it recognized only a debt of R$18 million for the months of February to July 2026. At the time, Serafim stated that the amount would be paid within 24 hours. "R$18 million, which is the amount we understand is owed," he declared. During the night, the deputy governor published proof of the transfer to Sinetram's account on social media and stated that the government had fulfilled its part. "We did our part. Matter closed," he wrote. Disagreement on the value of the tariff The divergence between the government and companies is related to the value considered for payment of the benefit. According to Serafim Corrêa, the State must pay R$2.50 per ticket, an amount corresponding to the student half-fare. Sinetram, on the other hand, defends payment based on the technical tariff, which represents the cost of operating the system and is currently higher than R$8. "What does the court decision say? That the price to be paid by the State government is R$2.50, which is half the fare. However, Sinetram understands that it is the value of R$8.00, which is the technical tariff", stated the vice-governor. The impasse began in 2025, after the end of the agreement between the Government of Amazonas and the City of Manaus that paid for the Free Student Pass. The State started to defend the direct payment to Sinetram for the value of the half-fare and went to court to guarantee the continuity of the benefit for students in the state network. In June 2025, a decision by the 2nd Public Finance Court of Manaus authorized the Government of Amazonas to purchase half-tickets for the value of R$ 2.50 and determined that the Municipal Institute of Urban Mobility (IMMU) and Sinetram did not prevent students from the state network from accessing free transport.