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Senate Committee Advances Bill That Expands Fare Exemptions And Discounts On Interstate Bus Tickets For Low-Income Seniors, Including Executive, Semi-Bed, And Bed Buses, Maintaining Income Criteria And Current Rules While Text Is Under Review In The Chamber Of Deputies.
The Senate Committee on Economic Affairs (CAE) approved, on September 16, 2025, a bill that expands the fare exemption and the minimum 50% discount on interstate bus tickets for low-income seniors to also include categories such as executive, semi-bed, and bed.
The text preserves the criteria established in the Statute of the Elderly and restricts its application to regular lines between states, not covering chartered trips.
Under the proposal, those entitled to the benefit are individuals aged 60 or older with a monthly income of up to two minimum wages.
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After being approved by the CAE, in a definitive capacity within the committee, the bill was forwarded for review by the Chamber of Deputies, where it will undergo the stages outlined in the legislative process.
What Changes With The Bill Approved In The Senate Committee
Currently, the Statute of the Elderly guarantees the reservation of two free seats per vehicle for low-income seniors in interstate road transportation.
When these seats are already occupied, the legislation mandates a minimum 50% discount on the cost of the remaining tickets.
In practice, however, the benefit tends to be concentrated in the conventional service.
This occurs because, on several routes, the majority of schedule offerings are made in superior categories, such as executive, semi-bed, or bed, which limits access for those who depend on the exemption or discount.
The bill approved by the CAE seeks to clarify that the right should apply regardless of the bus category, as long as the trip is made on a regular interstate line.
The proposal does not alter the income criteria or the number of free seats.
The focus is on removing the limitation related to the class of the vehicle, while maintaining the other rules already established in legislation.
Who Is Entitled To The Benefit And Which Trips Are Covered By The Rule
The target audience remains the same as defined in the Statute of the Elderly.
They are individuals aged 60 or older with a monthly income of up to two minimum wages.
The benefit applies exclusively to interstate trips on authorized regular lines, with ticket sales open to the public.
Excluded from the rule are charter services.
In these cases, since the bus is hired exclusively by groups or companies, the exemption or discount provided for regular transport does not apply.
While the bill is under review and not yet voted on by the Chamber of Deputies, the current regulations continue to apply.
Thus, the grant of exemption or discount remains subject to the already known rules and the oversight of interstate transport.
How To Request The Ticket And Avoid Refusal At The Counter
The procedure to request the exemption or discount remains the same as outlined in the official guidelines from the federal government.
The senior passenger must request the “Senior Citizen Travel Ticket” directly at the sales points of the transport company.
It is necessary to present a photo identification document and proof of income, when required.
According to federal guidelines, the request must be made at least three hours in advance of the departure time from the starting point of the line.
Compliance with this deadline is noted in official materials as a relevant operational condition for the issuance of the ticket, especially during peak demand periods.
Another factor that often influences service is the complete presentation of documentation at the time of the request.
In addition to the personal document, income can be proven by different means accepted by the company.
Among them is the Senior Citizen Card, intended for those registered in the Unified Registry.
Although not mandatory when income can be proven by other documents, the card is accepted as proof of economic condition.
Senior Citizen Card And Income Verification
The Senior Citizen Card is a free document aimed at individuals aged 60 or older registered in the Unified Registry with an individual income of up to two minimum wages.
It serves as proof for access to fare exemption or discount on interstate transportation.
The issuance can be done digitally, through the federal government service.
It is also possible to receive in-person assistance at Social Assistance Reference Center (CRAS) units.
Even with the card, the guidance is for the passenger to carry a photo identification document, required both for ticket purchase and boarding.
How Priority Works Between Exemption And Discount
The legislation maintains an order of benefit application.
If there are two free seats reserved per vehicle, the company must issue the ticket at no cost.
If these seats are already occupied, the passenger is entitled to a minimum 50% discount on the ticket price.
This hierarchy remains unaltered in the bill approved by the CAE.
The difference is that if the proposal is confirmed by Congress, this logic will also apply to buses of the executive, semi-bed, and bed categories operating regular interstate lines.
What Is The Status Of The Legislation In The Chamber Of Deputies
The bill approved by the CAE corresponds to PL 2,311/2019, authored by Senator Zequinha Marinho, with a report by Senator Paulo Paim in the committee.
After voting on September 16, 2025, the text was sent to the Chamber of Deputies on October 2.
The formal submission was recorded on October 6, 2025.
Until there is deliberation by the deputies and potential presidential sanction, the text does not produce immediate effects.
The applicable right continues to be that already provided in the current legislation.
What To Do In Case Of Denial By The Company
In situations of undue refusal, the official guidance is to file a complaint with the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT).
The agency is responsible for regulating interstate road transport.
The Ombudsman can be reached at phone 166, with electronic operation 24 hours a day.
There are also digital channels such as chat and electronic form.
For oversight purposes, it is advisable to provide date, time, line, company, and the reason presented during service.
This information aids in the investigation of possible non-compliance with the rules of fare exemption or discount.
Gostei porque tenho 67 anos renda baixa carteira do idoso e tive negativa na rodoviária
Sou aposentada tenho 66 anos fiz em Outubro uma viagem p/ RJ com minha filha ganho 2 salários mínimos fui na rodoviária 5 dias antes da viagem eles me negaram,disseram que teria só p/ o outro dia e já tinha o lugar certo e pago p/ ficar resumindo tive que pagar a viagem foi mto
constrangedor p/ mim!!!!
Foi em Outubro de 2025
Eu quero um esclarecimento:
Se for aprovada, nós idosos, poderemos viajar, em ônibus EXECUTIVO, SEMI LEITO E LEITO. Podemos ocupar poltronas no leito???? Pergunto porque idosos precisam viajar com mais conforto justamente por todos os problemas da idade. Eu viajo de Goiânia à Porto Alegre e de lá prá cá. Já imaginaram o tamanho da viagem???
Faz muito tempo que viajo usando esse direito, sei como funciona.
Cada empresa tem UM DIA NA SEMANA, para a viagem dos idosos.
TÁ CERTO???
Não, está errado. A lei vale para todas as viagens todos os dias. Abra uma queixa no Procon ou na Promotoria de sua cidade.