Rio’s Bus Rapid Transit Inspections Result in Over 6,000 Fines in One Year

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – After a period of educational and public awareness actions, in October 2018, the municipal guards operate in stations designated by the consortium that record the most cases of default, in Rio’s North and West Zones, applying fines in the cases detected.

The data are for fines imposed through October 23rd, 2019.

“It was a year of hard work and we imposed close to seven thousand fines, in addition to several cases of interfering with inspections at the BRT stations. During this period, our guards also detected and restrained several disorders and sexual assaults, in addition to guiding and assisting users.”

“The result demonstrates that we are contributing to improving the quality of transportation in our city,” said Municipal Guard commander, general inspector Tatiana Mendes.

The inspection is carried out based on municipal Law No. 6,299 of December 3rd, 2017, which establishes penalties for BRT users who do not voluntarily pay the fare when using the service.

The fines are R$170.00 (US$42.50) and R$255.00 (fine plus 50 percent), in case of repeat offences.

During their inspections, the Municipal Guard teams also curb a number of infringements, misdemeanors, and crimes, in addition to providing assistance to passengers. To date, 19 arrests or detentions have been recorded, including cases of sexual harassment, thefts, robberies, and also cases of resistance after committing a felony.

There was also a record of assistance to passengers, such as the first response in accidents around and inside the stations or even in cases of missing persons, such as an elderly man with Alzheimer’s and a 10-year-old child who were returned to their families after municipal guard intervention.

Exclusive coaches for women

In May 2019, the reservation of exclusive space for women and children in the BRT’s articulated buses became effective, pursuant to Law No. 6,274 of November 13th, 2017.

The exclusive coaches operate from 6 AM to 10 AM and 5 PM to 9 PM, in order to prevent and curb sexual harassment situations.

GM-Rio provides guidance to passengers and, during the preventive patrolling and inspection actions at BRT stations, has already registered four incidents of sexual harassment and one arrest for disrespect of the “women only” coach.

Source: Diário do Rio