Half-a-Million People to Pass Through Rio Bus Terminal at Carnival

By Lise Alves, Senior Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – More than five hundred thousand passengers are expected to pass through Rio de Janeiro’s main bus terminal, Novo Rio, during the carnival, which begins on Saturday, March 2nd.

Almost nine thousand extra buses were programmed by 41 companies to meet demand, starting Thursday (February 28th). Friday, March 1st should be the busiest day of the holiday with 44,000 passengers expected to go through the terminal.

According to the terminal’s press officer, Beatriz Lima, the most sought after destinations in the state are the cities along the Região dos Lagos (Lakes Region), the mountains and Costa Verde regions.

Inter-state buses to Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Espírito Santo are also very popular this Carnival season, according to Lima.

As a way to get travelers in the mood for the four days of festivities, Novo Rio in partnership with the Association of Bus Terminals (Ascotran), will have samba and chorinho musical groups playing in the upper boarding area, along with two dance teachers to teach passengers basic samba steps.

Rio’s Municipal Health Department is also launching a campaign on Tuesday (February 26th) against HIV and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, distributing condoms and informational leaflets to the public at the terminal.

Brazilian Hotels Association (ABiH) points out that 74 percent of the city’s 50,000 beds are already reserved for the biggest extended holiday of the year in the city.

Last weekend, during Operation Carnival, Rio trash company (Comlurb) collected twenty tons of waste, after 38 blocos paraded in some of Rio’s largest avenues.

The city is handing out a fine of R$205.60 to those who are caught throwing waste on the streets. People who are caught urinating on the street will have to pay a fine of R$563.30.