Brazil: 22 bus stations may close in Rio de Janeiro

Event

Officials of the BRT transportation system in Rio de Janeiro have threatened to permanently close 22 bus stations due security concerns. The closures would affect the Transoeste transportation corridor, in particular the western neighborhoods of Santa Cruz and Campo Grande. The closures would affect some 30,000 regular passengers.

The 22 concerned stations are: Cesarão I, Cesarão II, Cesarão III, Vila Paciência, Três Pontes, Cesarinho, 31 de Outubro, Santa Efigênia, Júlia Miguel, Parque de São Paulo, Cosmos, Icurana, Vilar Carioca, Inhoaíba, Ana Gonzaga, São Jorge, Pina Rangel, Parque Esperança, Cândido Magalhães, Prefeito Alim Pedro, Gramado, and Campo Grande.

Context

The BRT transit system was created to improve public transportation in Rio de Janeiro for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games. The closure threat comes after the BRT Operational Consortium was unable to reach an agreement with the local government over improving security at stations to deter vandalism and violent crimes. 

Generally speaking, rates of petty and violent crime are high on public transportation in cities in Brazil. The Rio and São Paulo metros are relatively safe but often overcrowded, leaving riders vulnerable to pickpocketing and unwanted sexual contact. Crime committed against car and bus passengers on the road remains a problem for both visitors and local residents, especially during rush hour and traffic jams.