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Decree published on Thursday (31) by the government of the state of São Paulo, headed by João Doria (PSDB), and by the city of São Paulo, under the control of Bruno Covas, eliminated the free public transport for the elderly of 60 to 65 years old. There will be a transition until February 1 for people in this age group to exchange their unique tickets and BOM cards; until then, the tip will be kept.
The change, announced on the 23rd, takes effect from January 1, 2021 with the transition rule. Municipal and intercity buses, the subway, CPTM trains and the São Mateus alloy trolleybus system (east side) to Brooklin (south side) were affected by the restriction, passing through three ABC cities.
The new measure maintains gratuity for people over 65 years of age, a benefit guaranteed by federal law that established the Statute of the Elderly. People who do not turn 65 before February 1, 2021 will have their cards canceled.
According to the decree, the Special Single Ticket for the Elderly can be obtained by registering in SPTrans by users 65 years of age or older, who prove they reside in the municipalities that make up the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo.
People aged 60 years and over and under 65 must provide a new copy of the Special Single Ticket for Seniors before February 1, 2021.
Users who reach the minimum age of 65 years before February 1, 2021 will keep the benefit without having to replace the card.
Repealed law
To suspend the tip for the elderly in municipal transport, Covas repealed a 2013 law that guaranteed exemption from paying the fare on urban bus lines to people 60 years and older. The repeal of Law 15,912 was published in the Official Gazette of the municipality on Wednesday (30).
This Wednesday, Doria revoked a 2014 decree that would regulate the tip for these people in other means of transport, such as the subway, CPTM trains and EMTU intercity buses, in Greater São Paulo.
For Idec (Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection), the measure is harmful because it represents “an attack on the rights of users” and discourages the use of public transport.
Municipal funds, such as those for the elderly, social development and housing, had a reduction in the municipality’s annual budget. The municipal fund for the elderly will cut resources by 91% compared to 2020, going from a budget of R $ 2.7 billion this year to R $ 253.6 million next year.
