The Federal Public Defender’s Office (DPU) filed a public civil action against the municipality of Belém to guarantee the full functioning of the BRT System (Bus Rapid Transit) in the capital of Pará on days of major events, such as the Círio de Nazaré, in October, and COP 30, which will be held in November, in addition to football matches at the Estádio do Mangueirão.
In the action, also filed against the Union, the State of Pará and Caixa Econômica Federal (CEF), the Defender’s Office requests that all stations be opened and operated as a matter of urgency, especially Mangueirão Station, and the necessary fleet made available to serve the population in these times of high demand. Otherwise, the DPU asks for a daily fine to be imposed.
Approximately 38 km long, the Belém BRT System operates in an exclusive corridor with 22 transfer points, 18 stations and 04 terminals, taking users to integration points, from where smaller vehicles will leave for the neighborhoods/destinations.
The DPU’s recommendation came after discovering that the Mangueirão Station did not operate during large events, such as football matches that attract up to 49 thousand fans. The lack of BRT operation on these occasions causes significant inconvenience for public transport users.
The DPU said that, after some steps, the municipality of Belém recognized the need to keep Mangueirão Station open during major events and committed to adopting the necessary measures. However, in April 2025, the Public Defender’s Office found that the station remained closed.
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In response, the Urban Mobility Secretariat (SEGBEL) cited operational limitations, such as the reduced fleet of only 14 articulated buses in operation, two of which are undergoing maintenance, in addition to concerns about safety and vandalism.
For the DPU, these justifications do not take away the public authorities’ duty to plan and ensure adequate urban mobility. According to the regional human rights defender in Pará, Marcos Wagner Teixeira, responsible for the action, the interruption of service during major events generates overcrowding, delays, insecurity and violation of the right to come and go, affecting thousands of citizens and visitors.
“Maintaining the current situation implies the exposure of thousands of users to situations of insecurity, overcrowding, delays and restriction of the right to come and go on days of greatest demand, especially in the face of major events scheduled for Estádio do Mangueirão, the Círio de Nazaré and COP, making any decision ineffective only at the end of the process. It is necessary to guarantee the full functioning of the system from now on, under penalty of perpetuating serious harm to the community”, stated Teixeira.
The DPU also requests that the Municipality of Belém be ordered to pay compensation for collective moral damages and social damages in the amount of R$1 million, as well as the joint condemnation of all defendants to pay procedural costs and expenses.
