The city of Rio Branco is renewing an emergency public transport contract with Ricco Transportes and Turismo due to the expiration of the previous agreement and the need to maintain bus services for residents.
In Rio Branco, Brazil, the public transportation company Ricco Transportes e Turismo has been operating under an emergency contract for four years, originally established to cover gaps left by the previous operator, Auto Aviação Floresta. This contract has seen Ricco managing 31 of the city's 42 bus lines since February 2022. Recently, the emergency contract signed in August 2025 expired, prompting concerns about the continuity of transport services in the municipality.
Mayor Tião Bocalom has emphasized the necessity of renewing this contract to avoid disrupting public transportation for residents while a new bidding process is completed. He stated, "Of course it has to be renewed. I cannot leave passengers without buses to transport. It would be irresponsible on our part not to renew this contract," highlighting the critical role of public transport in urban mobility and the potential implications of service interruption.
Despite the urgency, the issue of emergency contracts and ongoing reliability of bus services continues to raise questions about long-term planning and municipal transport strategy in Rio Branco. The city's transport agency, RBTrans, confirmed the continuity of the emergency contract but acknowledged the complexities involved in securing a stable transportation framework amidst the ongoing bidding process.
