Rio’s Mayor Formalizes Profession of Motorcycle Taxi Driver

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – One of the main transport services in Rio de Janeiro has now been officially legalized by the city. In an event at the Palácio da Cidade, in Botafogo, South Zone, this Tuesday, November 5th, Mayor Marcelo Crivella signed the regulation of the Passenger Transport Service by Motorcycles.

Parties wishing to provide the service must meet a number of requirements, including having completed the age of 21 by the date of application; having had a Category A CNH (driver’s license) for at least 2 years with the inscription “motorcycle taxi driver”; having passed the motorcycle taxi driver vocational course test under Resolution 410/2012 of CONTRAN and being the vehicle owner with the CRLV (Vehicle registration and licensing certificate) issued in Rio de Janeiro.

The Taxi Drivers Union of Rio de Janeiro believes that there are at least 100,000 motorcycle taxi drivers in the city.

“Through this decree regulating the profession, public policy may benefit the category. For instance, taxi drivers have the TAXI.RIO App. Taxi drivers run 25,000 trips a day on the App. It’s a huge benefit. Motorcycle taxi drivers may enjoy the same benefits as other categories, such as low-interest financing for the purchase of vehicles, as truck drivers do.”

“The first step is to regulate the profession. That it is an activity with economic viability and that it may be a source of encouragement for all. Should any adjustments be required at a later stage, we will do so,” said Crivella.

According to the text, among the main requirements of applicants are the registration in CADMOTO.RIO, a system of the Municipal Department of Transportation (SMTR) for motorcycle taxi drivers (with submission of the required documents in the decree); protection devices and metal handles for passenger support; compartment for accommodation of helmet and hand luggage, and civil liability insurance with coverage for material and personal damage by death and disability in the amount of R$5,000 (US$1,250) each.

In addition to the requirements and obligations for motorcycle taxi drivers, the decree also provides that the fare charged for the service be established by the municipal executive branch and adjusted according to the fare calculation, considering the costs of operation, maintenance, and the driver’s earnings, among other factors.

Applicants must file a petition at the municipal body in charge of traffic and transport, by submitting the documentation required by the decree, in order to set up an exclusive parking point for motorcycle taxis.

The publication additionally lists the penalties for drivers detected in violation of the requirements. They are subject to a warning, fines, and suspension or cancellation of the licensing permit. The decree will become effective 90 days after its publication.

According to Alfredo de Lima, one of Rio’s pioneering motorcycle taxi drivers, who has been working for 25 years between Curicica, in Jacarepaguá, in the West Zone, and the city center, the regulation will entail more responsibilities for drivers and will also increase their reputation.

The president of the State Union of Taxi Drivers, Sérgio de Freitas, believes that the requirements for regulation in the sector will dramatically reduce the number of clandestine motorcycle taxi drivers.