Fare-free public transportation has been gaining increased attention in the world, but few academic works have focused on its implementation. This policy brief draws on data from the 114 municipalities that have implemented fare-free policies in Brazil, as well as interviews with city managers and policymakers, to provide an evaluation of its potential impacts in the Brazilian context.

One of the most significant conclusions is that municipalities with fare-free public transportation are not exclusively among Brazil’s wealthiest by GDP per capita, and that the relative cost incurred by these municipalities to support this policy does not vary significantly with population size. The brief also indicates that Brazilian municipalities implementing this policy have made changes to their public transportation contractual models to ensure their financial sustainability.

Where it was measured, the impact of fare-free public transportation on the number of passengers has been notable. The brief also suggests that fare-free public transportation may have positive impacts on racial equity, due to Black populations being disproportionally resident in more distant areas and more reliant on public transportation, as well as positive economic and environmental impacts.

The brief is also available in Portuguese.