Government of AM announces payment of six months in arrears of the Free Pass and disputes debt The Government of Amazonas announced this Tuesday (21) that it will pay R$ 18 million relating to six months of outstanding Student Free Pass amounts for students in the state network in Manaus. The announcement was made by the vice-governor, Serafim Corrêa, during a press conference, after the Union of Passenger Transport Companies of the State of Amazonas (Sinetram) stated that the State has a debt of more than R$44 million related to the benefit. The union's demand occurred after the bus workers' strike, which began on Monday (20) due to late payment of salaries. This Tuesday, Sinetram stated that the lack of transfers of the Free Student Pass could affect the free access to students and compromise public transport. According to the entity, there are R$90.1 million in outstanding amounts related to the benefit. According to the deputy governor, the amount charged by the union is not recognized by the State. According to Serafim Corrêa, the amount owed is R$18 million, corresponding to the months of February to July 2026, and will be paid within 24 hours. ? Join the g1 AM channel on WhatsApp "To close the problem, to contribute to solving the problem, we authorize Seduc and Sefaz to take steps to deposit R$ 18 million in the next 24 hours, which is the amount we understand is due for the months of February, March, April, May, June and July", he stated. The vice-governor also stated that the impasse over transfers was not the reason for the bus stoppage, but said that the government decided to make the payment to help normalize service in the capital. "The strike has another reason, the strike is not motivated by this fact, but to end the problem, to contribute to solving the problem, we authorize Seduc and Sefaz to take the measures", he stated. City Hall says it does not owe amounts for 2026 Also this Tuesday (21), the mayor of Manaus, Renato Júnior, stated that the municipality fulfilled all payments scheduled for public transport in 2026 and said that there are no outstanding amounts relating to this year's transfers to bus companies. According to the mayor, the municipality transferred R$284 million to Sinetram in 2026 and maintained payments within the established deadlines. The statement, however, does not detail possible pending issues from previous periods highlighted by the union. “The city hall owes nothing, not a single dollar for 2026 to public transport,” he stated. Renato Júnior also stated that the pending issue related to the Student Free Pass involves the Government of Amazonas and criticized the possibility of changing the benefit for public school students. "I will not allow Governor Roberto Cidade to withdraw the free pass from public school students," he declared. Disagreement over the value of the Student Free Pass fare being used at an Integration Terminal in Manaus João Viana/Semcom The disagreement 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. Understand the bus stoppage Bus circulation in Manaus was completely interrupted on Monday afternoon (20) due to delays in paying the category's salaries. According to the Road Workers Union, the companies failed to comply with a legal agreement that determined the payment of 40% of wages by the 20th of each month. Still on Monday night, the Regional Labor Court of the 11th Region (TRT-11) considered the strike abusive and determined that public transport maintained 80% of the fleet during peak hours and 50% during other periods. Until the last update of this report, the system operated with 50% of the fleet, according to the percentage predicted for off-peak hours.