Awnsereing your questions
Hi — here’s a concise, practical summary about Porto Alegre’s bus system (answers based on official PMPA/EPTC pages and well-known apps). I prioritized the most important items first so you can use them immediately. Quick answers (actionable) QR codes at stops: Porto Alegre installs QR codes on many bus stops that open a page showing which lines stop there, next-vehicle ETAs and basic vehicle info (accessibility / A/C). Use your phone camera or the QR printed on the pole. Mobile apps to use: TRI (official card/app) — buy fares, generate passenger QR codes (pay-by-QR), and check lines/ETAs. PMPA / EPTC online tools — timetable & itineraries, realtime vehicle location and map queries. Third-party maps/apps (Moovit, Google Maps) — interactive route maps and step-by-step directions for users. Main maps available (besides the QR code page) Municipal itinerary & timetable portal (PMPA / EPTC) — official, searchable by line, stop or address. Good for official itineraries and timetables. Operator (e.g., Carris) PDFs and route maps — some companies publish route PDFs and “pocket guides.” Useful when you know the operator. Third-party interactive maps (Moovit, Google Maps) — show routes on a map, arrival predictions and multi-leg trips. Good on mobile. How many lines / who operates them There isn’t a single simple number you can quote without context — counts vary by how you classify (municipal lines vs. metropolitan lines vs. lotações/supplementary services). historic/official documents show totals anywhere from a few dozens (when counting main trunk/“matrix” lines) to hundreds when counting all variations, extensions and metropolitan services. For example, a municipal procurement document from earlier years lists 400+ lines as part of the broader system, while current city pages focus on the active municipal itineraries and provide search tools rather than a single “total lines” headline. Multiple operators / consortia: Lines are operated by several companies grouped in consortia (Carris + various private companies/consórcios). The city/transport authority (EPTC / SMMU / Prefeitura) coordinates timetables, tariffs and GPS tracking. Can routes be organized by neighborhood? Yes. The official itinerary/timetable portal and apps let you search by address, stop name or neighborhood to list lines that serve that area. That’s the easiest way to produce a neighborhood-grouped view. Moovit / Google Maps can also layer routes on the map so you can visually filter by area. Which routes do seniors frequently use? Instead of specific line numbers (which change often and depend on a person’s home/health-care locations), seniors commonly use routes that connect: Residential neighborhoods → Centro (Praça XV / Mercado Público / terminal central) for banking, markets and municipal services. Residential neighborhoods → major hospitals / health centers (appointments are a frequent trip reason). Neighborhoods → large shopping centers / markets (for groceries and social visits). Local circulator / community lines that stop near social centers, health posts and municipal service points. How to get exact lines used by seniors in your area (fast): Open the camera and scan the QR code on your local stop (it lists the lines and ETAs). Or open TRI or Moovit and search by neighborhood/address — filter results for the nearest stops and look for lines that go to…
Vinícius Manzoni
My name is Vinícius Tegel Manzoni. I’m 23 years old and a Visual Design student at UFRGS. I also have a degree in Gastronomy from UFCSPA. I’m obsessed with japanese culture, video games, travel, pop music, and everything related to design! @vini.manzoni