The municipality of Uberlândia in Brazil has announced a significant change in its school transport policy, which will affect approximately 6,000 students aged 12 and older. Starting from March 9, these students, who previously used free school buses and vans provided by the city, will now need to rely on the conventional urban public transport system. This decision comes after many students could not secure a place in public schools close to their homes, necessitating their transport to educational institutions further away.

To facilitate the transition, the city is promoting its Tarifa Zero program, which allows students to travel at no charge for four daily bus rides: two for commuting to and from school, and two for extracurricular activities. This requirement emphasizes the municipal government’s shift towards integrating school transport with the urban transit system, aiming to streamline operations and make better use of existing resources. The move has sparked discussions on accessibility and the adequacy of public transit for students.

The Local Education Department has stated that this change will not only help reduce the operational burden on the school transport system but also encourage students to utilize the already existing public transport infrastructure. However, concerns remain regarding how well the urban transport system can accommodate the influx of young passengers and whether this shift will hinder students’ access to education, especially those who have to travel longer distances due to limited school options nearby.