São Paulo Train Strike Enters Second Day Causing Severe Traffic and Commuter Hardship

The strike of CPTM railway workers entered its second day on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, causing significant disruptions to public transport and traffic in São Paulo. The strike affects lines 11-Coral, 12-Safira, and 13-Jade. Line 11 is operating only between Palmeiras-Barra Funda and Guaianases, while Line 12 is running between Brás and Engenheiro Goulart. Line 13 is operating with increased intervals. To mitigate the impact, the CPTM activated 195 Paese buses to transport passengers on the affected segments. The city government suspended the municipal vehicle rotation for the second consecutive day. Traffic congestion reached 768 kilometers at 8:30 a.m. which was the highest level recorded in the last four weeks for that time. By 9:00 a.m. congestion was recorded at 714 kilometers. Commuters reported severe delays, with some journeys taking four hours instead of ninety minutes, and many passengers resorting to expensive ride-sharing apps to reach work. CPTM Director-President Michael Cerqueira stated that the lines are operating without adequate security because only three of 126 scheduled machinists reported for work, despite a TRT court order requiring 80 percent staffing during peak hours. The railway workers are demanding written guarantees for job security following the concession of lines to the private sector, specifically Trivia Trens. The union decided to maintain the strike indefinitely following a general assembly on Tuesday. The state government described the strike as unjustifiable and claimed it imposes grave damages on nearly one million passengers. While the union frames the movement as a defense of workers' rights and professional security, the state government frames the strike as having a political rather than a labor-related motivation.