Public bus fares in Brazil could increase by up to eight percent [1] following the approval of a constitutional amendment ending the 6x1 work schedule.
The change impacts the cost of urban mobility for millions of commuters. Transportation companies argue that reducing worker hours will increase operational expenses, which may be passed on to passengers through higher ticket prices.
On May 27, 2026, the Chamber of Deputies in Brasília approved the base text of the Proposed Amendment to the Constitution (PEC) [2]. The measure eliminates the 6x1 scale, which requires employees to work six days for every one day of rest. Under the new rules, the standard weekly work journey will be reduced from 44 to 40 hours [3].
The National Association of Urban Transport Companies (NTU) issued a warning regarding the financial impact of this shift. A spokesperson for the NTU said the end of the 6x1 scale could elevate bus fares by up to eight percent [1]. The entity suggests that the reduction in hours necessitates hiring more staff, or paying overtime, to maintain current service levels.
Other business sectors have expressed skepticism regarding the implementation timeline. The PEC establishes a 60-day transition period for the end of the 6x1 scale [4]. Wesley Moreira, the owner of Don Romano pizzeria and canteen, said he does not believe in the 60-day deadline [4].
The transport sector's concerns highlight a tension between labor rights and the cost of public services. While the reduction in hours aims to improve worker well-being, the NTU maintains that the resulting operational costs create a direct financial burden on the transit system.
“The end of the 6x1 scale could elevate bus fares by up to 8%.”
The transition from a 44-hour to a 40-hour work week represents a significant shift in Brazilian labor law. Because public transport relies on continuous, 24-hour staffing, any reduction in individual shift lengths requires a proportional increase in the total workforce. If the government does not provide subsidies to offset these new labor costs, the financial burden will likely shift to the end-user via fare hikes, potentially offsetting the social gains of the shorter work week for low-income commuters.
