Brazilians continue to protest against hikes in public transport fares

Date: 18/6/2013

An estimated 200,000 people have taken to Brazil's streets to protest against rising public transport fares and the cost of staging the 2014 World Cup.

Anger at the decision to increase the price of bus tickets initially started when the move was announced at the beginning of June, and campaigners have since been taking to the streets in growing droves to demonstrate their opposition.

Marches in some areas of the country have turned violent, with reports of protesters in Rio de Janeiro throwing rocks at police and setting a car on fire - as well as starting a minor blaze at the state assembly building.

According to the BBC's Julia Carneiro, much of the unrest is a result of perceived corruption and disillusionment with paying high taxes for poor public services.

With Brazil set to host the World Cup next year and the Olympic Games in 2016, its Government has been taking extensive steps to ensure its transport infrastructure will be capable of meeting demand during the two events.

Posted by Nick Anderson

International Transport News and Sustainable Transport News