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Rio de Janeiro City Hall details changes to bus fare payments and the integration of the Bilhete Único Carioca (Rio's integrated public transport card).
Published on 14/05/2026 - 11:51 | Updated on 14/05/2026 - 12:02
The city government will continue advancing in the modernization of the municipal ticketing system - Marcos de Paula The mayor of Rio, Eduardo Cavaliere, and the municipal secretary of Transportation, Jorge Arraes, detailed this Thursday (May 14th), at the Rio Operations Center (COR), the measures to modernize the municipal public transportation system. Among them are the end of cash payments on municipal buses and the exclusivity of the black card for fare integrations of the Bilhete Único Carioca (BUC) and the Bilhete Único Margaridas (BUM). The changes will take effect from May 30th, when integrations will be carried out exclusively using the black Jaé card or QR Code.
— This is another step in implementing the ticketing model that has governance, integrity, and transparency as central pillars of what Jaé represents. Part of this process also involves no longer allowing the circulation of cash inside buses. It is important to emphasize that we are not eliminating the possibility of cash payment in the municipal transport system. People will continue to be able to use cash to buy credits to ride the bus, just as already happens in the BRT and VLT — declared Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere.
The modernization was carried out to improve safety on public transport, eliminate the dual role of drivers, reduce fraud, increase transparency in the use of public subsidies, and speed up passenger boarding. Currently, only 9% of transactions on municipal buses are made in cash (in 2015, this number was 20%), and only 3% of users of the Jaé system use the green card for fare integration.
The elimination of cash payments for bus fares on regular buses has already been adopted by other cities, such as Campinas (SP), Florianópolis (SC), and the Federal District. Furthermore, in Rio de Janeiro's municipal system, the VLT (light rail) and BRT (bus rapid transit) also operate without cash payments.
"The data shows that the population's behavior has already been changing naturally. This trend demonstrates that the system is prepared for this transition. The results are clear: more security, modernization, and a more efficient operation, which is exactly what we are also seeking to implement in municipal buses," stated Secretary Jorge Arraes.
It is worth noting that cash is not ruled out for purchasing the cards. Cash top-ups will continue to be available at Jaé self-service machines (ATMs), at approximately 2 accredited points throughout the city, and at ticket counters in BRT terminals.
Users who prefer to use a single-use card can return it to Jaé service points and thus receive a refund of R$ 5. A list of service points is available on the website www.jae.com.br.
Green Card, BUC and BUM
The green Jaé card will remain valid for single trips, but will no longer offer fare integration. Users who still use this card for integration must create a digital account in the Jaé app and request the black card free of charge or use the QR code on their mobile phone.
Currently, with the Rio de Janeiro Single Ticket (BUC), passengers can make up to three trips within a three-hour period, one of which must be on the BRT, paying only a single fare of R$ 5. The Metropolitan Single Ticket (BUM) allows up to four trips between BRT, VLT, and municipal buses within 20 hours, also for R$ 5 with municipal integration.
Mobi-Rio takes over first operation on municipal lines.
During the press conference, the mayor also announced the first operation of Mobi-Rio on municipal bus lines in Ilha do Governador. As part of the transition to the new payment model in the city's bus system, line 634 (Saens Peña x Bananal), which will be operated by the public company starting this Sunday (May 17th), will be a pilot project and will operate without accepting cash on board, similar to the BRT and VLT systems.
Mobi-Rio's operation on the line will feature 25 new, air-conditioned buses operating 24 hours a day. The change is due to poor service from the current operator. The 634 is an important line in the Ilha region, serving passengers daily with connections to Fundão, Benfica, São Cristóvão, and the Rio Bus Station.
— There are three BRT Connection lines operating without cash payment since 2024. The population adapted very quickly, without any operational problems. This model brings more safety to the trip and reduces accidents, because the driver no longer performs the dual function of driving and collecting fares, being able to focus exclusively on driving the vehicle — said the CEO of Mobi-Rio, Claudia Secin.
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