São Paulo: Public Transportation Jam-packed on First Day of 24/7 Car Use Restrictions

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Public transports in São Paulo recorded crowded buses, trains, and subways on the morning of the first day of more stringent municipal vehicle rotation, a measure designed to discourage people from traveling and to reduce the Covid-19 rate of spread.

The city reported it had deployed 1,000 additional municipal buses and another 600 in reserve, to be activated if required.

In some cases, the reinforcement worked, with no overcrowding, but in others the buses were still packed, particularly early in the morning.

According to international studies, after hospital environments, public transport is one of the places with the highest risk of contamination by the coronavirus that emerged in China, and is the cause of Covid-19.

According to the new vehicle circulation rotation restrictions, only cars with even-numbered license plates are allowed to run on even-numbered days. On odd-numbered days in the month, only cars with odd-numbered plates may circulate.

The rotation scheme, formerly in effect only during weekday rush hours, is now valid 24 hours per day, every day, covers every type of license plate, and extends to all roads in the city.

Professional categories such as health, public safety and other essential services and vehicles serving the health and supply sectors are exempt. App ride-sharing cars are not exempted from the restrictions, but licensed taxis are exempt.

Those who believe they are entitled to be exempted from the rotation restrictions, but were not exempted from the common rotation should use Portal 156 or send an e-mail to [email protected].