Ricco Transportes e Turismo, a public transport company in Rio Branco, Brazil, has been operating under an emergency contract for over four years and reports a staggering loss of R$ 8 million in 2025. The company attributes its financial struggles to issues such as overcrowded buses and mechanical failures that have persisted since the transport crisis began in 2020. The owner, Ewerson Dias, is advocating for the reopening of a public bidding process to address these ongoing challenges and improve service for the community.

A public hearing was requested by Ricco to discuss the issues at hand; however, the owner could not attend due to health problems, leading to the cancellation of the session. This highlights the ongoing struggle for the company and the urgency of addressing the public transport crisis in Rio Branco. Following the renewal of their emergency contract for an additional six months in February, the situation has not improved much for commuters who continue to experience difficulties.

In a timely development, the Mayor of Rio Branco, Tião Bocalom, is set to announce the launch of Public Bidding Notice No. 005/2026 on Monday, aiming to enhance the concession and operation of the city's public transport system. This bidding process could potentially pave the way for new operators to take over and alleviate the current issues, addressing both the financial woes of Ricco and the transport problems faced by residents.