State Government delivers over 100 free licenses to bus drivers in Belém, Ananindeua, and Marituba

The bus fleet serving the population in the Metropolitan Region of Belém has increased with the arrival of air-conditioned vehicles, and to ensure more qualified professionals to drive these vehicles, the state government has delivered over 100 National Driver's Licenses (CNH) to drivers. The licenses are part of the CNH Pai D'égua Social Program, which this year has been expanded to bus drivers in Belém, Ananindeua, and Marituba. The goal is to better serve the population that uses public transportation. The delivery ceremony took place this Wednesday (8) at the Government Palace in Belém.

The CNH Pai D'égua for bus drivers was announced in May of this year, following dialogue between the state government, the city hall of Belém, and the other municipalities in the Metropolitan Region, aiming to guarantee collectors who could not be utilized in the air-conditioned fleet the chance to obtain the CNH completely free of charge and thus continue working and also acting as drivers. The program guarantees not only the first license but also the addition of category D, which allows driving passenger transport vehicles with more than eight seats.

The state’s vice governor, Hana Ghassan, conducted the ceremony and highlighted the new job opportunities that bus drivers will have from now on. "Now, you have a new profession, and we wish for everyone to have great success on this journey. The state government is increasingly investing in mobility, and we also hope that you help us with the mobility of the population, driving responsibly and safely," emphasized Hana.

Participating in the partnership are the Union of Road Transport Workers of the State of Pará and the Union of Road Workers of Ananindeua and Marituba (Sintram). The presidents of the two unions, Altair Brandão and Wellen Ferreira, emphasized that the CNH Pai D'égua is ensuring that collectors advance from a function to a profession, and that the program transforms dreams into reality with opportunities and social inclusion.

In recent months, the category has prepared in driver training centers and completed all the stages of exams and tests required by the Detran.

José Augusto Nogueira works as a collector in a company in Marituba. Benefited by the program, he took the opportunity and changed from category AB to D. With the new license in hand, he already knows what he will do with the document. "I want to be a driver, improve my salary, and be able to help my family's life more. When the governor announced it, I seized this chance to get this CNH without paying anything; I am very grateful," he commented.

James Ribeiro has always worked as a bus collector in a company in Ananindeua, but now, with the change to category D, the plans are different. "From this moment on, I will have the opportunity to work in other places as a bus driver or even heavy machinery operator, to have a better income, all thanks to the CNH Pai D'égua Program," he assures.

The delivery represents another step in the commitment of the government of Pará to guarantee job opportunities and the appreciation of professionals working in public transport.
The general director of Detran, Renata Coelho, informed that new vacancies for bus drivers may be opened soon and that all CNHs will be delivered this year. "I am happy that we have reached this moment of realizing a struggle, which I have followed since the beginning, and together with the unions, to bring this benefit, which is fair to encourage all of you, public transport workers, to evolve in your profession," she emphasized.

Candidates who are still in the training process will receive the document after completing all the stages provided by the program.