Did you know that elderly Brazilian citizens can travel for free on interstate buses? Well, according to the Statute of the Elderly, free bus tickets are mandatory for those over 60 years old and earning up to two minimum wages. However, many companies deny the benefit without giving further explanation.

Therefore, it is important that this information be accessible to the entire population, in order to denounce improper practices by bus companies. So, check out all the details below on how an elderly person can travel for free by bus and take advantage of this incentive from the Federal Government to get to know Brazil!

Well, according to the Statute of the Elderly of Law nº 10.741/03, the elderly with 60 years of age or more and a monthly income of up to two minimum wages in force is entitled to travel on interstate buses for free. In this sense, bus companies are obliged to provide two seats in each car at all times for free.

Thus, if these seats are occupied, the company must sell the ticket with a minimum discount of 50% of the value. This Government benefit aims to encourage elderly citizens to travel in Brazil. In addition, they aim to help low-income families who need, for whatever reason, to travel from one state to another.

However, many road transport companies do not follow the Statute for the Elderly and deny what is a citizen's right. Thus, it is up to the elderly to denounce these companies to the National Land Transport Agency, ANTT. Incidentally, according to its 2021 survey, there have already been 10,214 requests for information on how to obtain this right.

Therefore, if you are elderly and fit the specifications of the Statute, or if you know someone who can make use of this benefit, it is important to inform these people. In this way, more and more citizens will be able to assert what is their right! In this sense, see below how to register for the elderly to travel for free by bus.

Well, if you are elderly and are 60 years old or older and receive up to two minimum wages monthly, then you are entitled to travel by bus for free. In this sense, there are several ways to obtain this benefit, which is the right of Brazilians and is provided for by law in the Statute of the Elderly.

First, the elderly person can present the Elderly Card, issued by the Ministry of Citizenship. This document is available for those who cannot prove their income, and to acquire it it is necessary to register with the Single Registry. So, if you are part of the Social Programs of the Federal Government, you can apply for your Elderly Card at the CRAS closest to you.

Also, remember that this document takes 90 days after the request to reach you. However, the elderly can use their benefits immediately when requesting the Card through a Provisional Declaration that the CRAS delivers to the citizen. Incidentally, this Declaration has a maximum validity of 180 days and after that period the elderly person will need to present the physical ID card.

In addition to this document, there are other ways in which the elderly can travel for free by bus. To do so, he will need to go to the transport company's counter and present a paycheck for his salary. If he does not have this document, he can use a Social Security card, INSS statement, Benefit Payment Extract or even the updated Work Card.

If the elderly person does not have any of these documents, he will need to use the Carteira do Idoso that we mentioned earlier. In addition, if the company refuses to grant the benefit, the elderly must make a complaint by calling ANTT free of charge on telephone 166.

Since 2006, the Federal Government has regulated Law 10.741 of the Statute of the Elderly so that people over 60 can travel for free on interstate buses. However, to be able to acquire the ticket for free, the elderly must go to the ticket office of the transport companies or outsourced companies and request the ticket.

In this sense, the request must be made within a period of at least 30 days in advance and a minimum of 3 hours before the departure of the bus. Furthermore, it is worth remembering that sleeper, semi-sleeper and executive buses are not part of this rule. That is, only trips in conventional cars obey the Gratuity Law.

Well then, to obtain the ticket, the elderly person will need to present the Elderly Card or proof of income of up to two minimum wages. However, the presentation of this documentation to obtain the ticket must happen in person at the company's counter. In other words, it is not possible to request the ticket through the internet.

However, to make life easier for those seeking this benefit, there are some ways to obtain the necessary documentation online. So, see below what you should do to get your Senior Citizens Card or proof of INSS to present at the counter and purchase your free ticket.

First, you can request this document through the Social Assistance Reference Center, or CRAS, which is closest to your residence. There you will complete your Single Registration to be included in the Social Programs of the Federal Government and you will receive your NIS, Social Identification Number.

However, if you cannot attend the CRAS in your city, you can access the Federal Government website, and then order your Senior Citizen Card online. For this, you must access the gov.br link related to the elderly person card. Then you will need to login or create your account.

Then, just click on the “Issue wallet” option and fill out the online form with the requested data. Thus, the gov.br website will automatically issue the document and the elderly person will be able to print and keep the Elderly Card and then present it at the company's counters. See how simple it is?

Another document that you can request online to get your free ticket is proof of payment of your benefit. That way, you can access your My INSS application and click on the “Credit History” option. In this section, you can find proof of payment to present at the counter.

Incidentally, the beneficiary may use this document to prove his relationship with the INSS in any other situation, as it contains the amount received monthly. With it, the elderly can travel for free by interstate bus as stated in the Law on the Statute of the Elderly created by the Federal Government.

Furthermore, round trips are the new craze in the tourism market. Usually their journeys are made by bus, since the tours are to nearby cities. In this sense, there are already agencies specialized in offering this type of package! So, check out our tips for making quick trips by bus and enjoy getting to know Brazil!