São Paulo Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB) said the city will respect a court decision to restore Uber's mototáxi service if a legal appeal fails.
The dispute centers on the legality of motorcycle taxi services in Brazil's largest city. A court recently ordered the municipal government to lift the ban on Uber's mototáxi service within 48 hours [1]. While the city is appealing this order, the outcome will determine whether the service can resume immediately or must wait for a formal regulatory framework.
Nunes addressed the legal battle during an interview on Thursday. He said that the city would abide by the judicial ruling if the appeal is rejected [2]. The mayor's office has faced pressure from app-based companies that argue current city laws make the service inviable in São Paulo [3].
Despite the ongoing legal conflict, Nunes indicated a shift toward formalizing the industry. He said he intends to regulate the app-based mototáxi service by December [4]. This move suggests the city may transition from a policy of prohibition to one of managed oversight.
The current legal tension highlights a conflict between municipal legislation and judicial interpretations of transportation rights. Some app companies have previously said that the laws approved by the city make the mototáxi model impossible to sustain [3].
By pledging to regulate the service by the end of the year, the mayor's office aims to resolve the uncertainty facing drivers and passengers. The city's appeal remains the immediate hurdle before the 48-hour deadline for service restoration is fully enforced [1].
“"If the appeal is denied, we will respect the decision of the Court,"—Ricardo Nunes”
The shift from a ban to a regulatory timeline indicates that São Paulo's administration is acknowledging the economic and social demand for app-based motorcycle transport. By promising regulation by December, the city is attempting to maintain administrative control over the sector while avoiding a direct, prolonged confrontation with the judiciary.
