Violence linked to drug gang activity and police operations in Rio de Janeiro has led to repeated attacks on public transport, highlighting the growing insecurity faced by commuters in Brazil’s second-largest city.
The latest incident occurred last month, shortly after police killed a suspected drug kingpin in a favela in Rio de Janeiro. Armed men reportedly intercepted a bus, ordered passengers off, and set the vehicle alight in the middle of a major road.
“They boarded, told me to get the passengers off, and set it ablaze. It happened very fast,” bus driver Marcio Souza told AFP. “It was a horrible feeling that I wouldn't wish on anyone.”
Such attacks have become increasingly common in the city of nearly seven million residents, where clashes between security forces and heavily armed criminal groups frequently spill over into civilian areas.
Criminal gangs operating in Rio’s sprawling favelas often respond to police actions by hijacking buses, using them as barricades to block roads and disrupt security operations. The tactic also brings much of the city’s transport network to a standstill, disproportionately affecting low-income communities that rely heavily on public transport.
During a major police operation in October, which left more than 120 people dead, over 100 buses were reportedly hijacked across the city.
Bus drivers say the profession has become increasingly dangerous. One driver, identified by the pseudonym João, said he was recently attacked by armed men who stole his keys and attempted to set his bus on fire before police intervened.
“The terror was immense,” he said. “All I could think about was my family.”
Transport representatives say the psychological toll on drivers is mounting, with nearly 200 reportedly taking sick leave last year due to stress and panic attacks.
According to Rio Ônibus, more than 250 buses were used as barricades over the same period more than double the previous year causing widespread delays and economic disruption.
Passengers are also increasingly avoiding public transport or adjusting their routines to reduce exposure to conflict zones. Many say they now leave home hours earlier to account for possible disruptions.
In one study cited by the Fogo Cruzado Institute, nearly 190,000 students missed school between 2023 and mid-2025 due to transport interruptions linked to armed violence.
Experts warn that the ongoing territorial disputes between criminal groups and state forces are deeply embedded in daily life, with one researcher noting that “armed violence permeates the lives of the entire population of Rio.”
Authorities have reportedly been working with transport operators to limit disruptions, including issuing warnings about planned police operations, though official comment from Rio’s police was not immediately available.