MP-MA Deal Ends São Luís Bus Strike, Restores Urban Service

Overview

• Workers halted urban lines for four days starting March 13, leaving only semiurban buses operating as residents relied on alternatives and city-issued ride-app vouchers.
• Service began returning on Tuesday after an MP-MA–mediated hearing where companies agreed to pay the retroactive 5.5% difference on February 2026 wages.
• The bus companies will formally request payment of disputed subsidy glosas from October to December 2025, which the municipality will review based on SMTT technical analyses.
• A follow-up meeting at the Consumer Protection Prosecutor’s Office is set for March 20 to assess the city’s response on subsidies and related transit issues.
• The union says the stoppage is suspended and warns of a new strike if the wage difference and court-ordered benefits are not fully implemented by the end of the month, while unresolved issues such as pay for strike days will be decided in court.