Metropolitan BRT expands active lines and reaches Santa Bárbara and Castanhal

The Metropolitan BRT advances with the gradual implementation of new lines this Tuesday (25). The municipalities of Castanhal, Santa Bárbara, Benevides, Marituba, Ananindeua, and Belém have been included in the expansion of eight lines and more 56 vehicles, totaling 100 buses in assisted operation.

The State of Pará's Public Services Regulation and Control Agency (Arcon) is monitoring the implementation alongside the operating and digital ticketing concessionaires. Since November 1st, the Integrated Metropolitan Transport System has been in operation and is undergoing traffic adjustments, sizing, and equipment testing with user participation.

A resident of Castanhal, Eraldo Almeida celebrates the savings with transportation to take his wife to a hospital in the state capital. To make the trip, the couple boarded the M315 - T. Marituba - Castanhal line and transferred at the Marituba Terminal. Without paying a new fare, they boarded a trunk line bus to the center of Belém.

“The trip was excellent, comfortable, and fast. Now the bus stops at my doorstep. It is very important for the population to be included in the Metropolitan BRT. In Castanhal, there is no urban transport system. It is very difficult. In all neighborhoods, we have to pay for a ride-hailing car or shared taxi to go to the terminal. And the BRT fare is excellent. Each passenger used to spend R$ 50 to go and return. Today they will spend, practically, R$ 9.20. A great savings,” evaluates Eraldo.

The municipality of Santa Bárbara do Pará also joined the system with the activation of the M313 - T. Marituba - Sta. Bárbara line. The security guard Salim Mescouto tried the new transportation option and needed to use three buses, with a single fare, to reach the Cidade Nova neighborhood in Ananindeua. “It was good, with the comfort of air conditioning on the bus. I didn’t need to pay another fare. We had no bus service there, it was very slow. Now it is fast, really good,” commented the security guard.

The lines activated in this phase are:

• M315 - T. Marituba - Castanhal
• M313 - T. Marituba - Sta. Bárbara
• M309 - T. Marituba - Murinin
• M312 - T. Marituba - Viver Melhor Marituba
• M201 - T. Marituba - São Brás
• M202 - T. Marituba - UFPA
• A201 - T. Ananindeua - São Brás
• A303 - T. Ananindeua - Júlia Seffer

According to the Metropolitan Transport Director of Arcon, Gilberto Barbosa, the concessionaires are meeting the established schedules for the gradual increase of the fleet in operation, as well as expanding the service network, with new lines until reaching full operation.

“In the first 25 days of operation, the implementation is proceeding as planned, with necessary adjustments to the operational schedule according to user adherence to the service. In this phase, 56 vehicles were included, with 22 electric buses, which make up the fleet of the line with a route to the São Brás station and the Federal University of Pará,” explains the director.

The standard models - Euro 6, which operate on the trunk lines, go to the center of Belém, stopping at traditional points starting from José Malcher Avenue. “It is important for the population to experience traveling through the SIT-BRT vehicles, to enjoy a fast service, with comfort and safety, providing better quality of life for the population,” added Gilberto.

Single fare

The Metropolitan BRT offers the possibility of using more than one bus with a single fare, within the system fleet. Payment is made in cash or via exclusive digital ticketing with the physical Pra Já card or the Pra Já Metropolitano mobile app, which allows users to recharge credits in the digital wallet through Pix transfer and generate a QR Code for fare payment.

The issuance of the physical Pra Já card is done at the service points of the integration terminals in Ananindeua and Marituba and at the Cidadania Stations of São Brás, and Metrópole and Pátio Belém Shopping Centers. Users can also schedule service through this link.

To request the card, it is necessary to present an original photo ID or birth certificate; CPF; and proof of residence. Students must add proof of enrollment provided by the educational institution, valid for up to 30 days after issuance. People with disabilities need to present a medical report issued no more than six months ago.

During the assisted operation, passengers entitled to free travel can continue using the trunk and feeder lines, presenting their ID or the Passe Fácil card with the benefit registered. It is important to highlight that this presentation is provisional, as the Pra Já does not currently integrate with the card used in Belém transportation.