Concessionaire questions use of Rio terminal for new São Paulo bus service

A new bus service from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo, departing from the Terminal Metropolitano in Irajá, has been questioned by the concessionaire operating the Rodoviária Novo Rio and other transport companies. They criticize the use of an urban terminal for interstate travel. The service, operated exclusively by Auto Viação Penha, begins this Friday with departures at 10 p.m. The Rodoviária do Rio argues that any expansion of such operations requires a comprehensive impact study, noting that interstate lines are regulated by the ANTT and differ from urban transport. The company advocates concentrating long-distance operations at its central terminal. Viação Águia Branca, another operator on the route, is evaluating the possibility of using the new terminal. Other companies contacted did not respond by publication time.