Teresina Bus Terminal Passengers to Top 12,500 Over Year-End

The Terminal Rodoviário de Teresina is preparing for a significant year-end surge, with transport operators expecting roughly 12,500 boardings between 27 and 30 December. The Sociedade Nacional de Apoio Rodoviário e Turístico (Sinart) reported the figure as part of wider forecasts for December travel.

Teresina bus terminal passengers rise for year-end travel

Sinart said the most sought after routes lead to regional capitals including Fortaleza, Recife, São Luís and Salvador, in addition to the Piauí coast. Despite the short-term spike, total boardings for December are projected at 82,000, a 5% decline on the same month in 2024.

Officials attribute the drop primarily to the expansion of irregular transport services such as vans, small private vehicles and ride-sharing options that operate outside regulated networks. The shift has reduced demand for conventional bus services even as seasonal travel grows.

“The coastline traditionally sees a marked increase in demand at this time of year,” Sinart said, noting the mix of leisure and family visits that drive the annual peak.

Passengers interviewed at the terminal said they were travelling to spend the holidays with relatives or to enjoy the beaches. One regular traveller, environmental educator Jairo Galvão, said his journey to Tutoia in Maranhão was a longstanding family custom.

Tales Rafael, who runs a travel agency in Teresina, said about 90% of his company’s bus fleet had already been hired for the season, most services bound for the Piauí coast and destinations in Ceará.

Air travel and safety advice as movements increase

The city’s airport, Senador Petrônio Portella, is also expecting a notable rise in passenger numbers. Airport authorities forecast a 20.84% increase over last year, with around 60,550 travellers passing through over the holiday period compared with 50,107 in 2024.

With roads and terminals busier than usual, the Polícia Rodoviária Federal has reiterated standard safety guidance for those travelling by private vehicle. Recommendations include carrying out a vehicle check before departure, monitoring weather and road conditions, resting adequately, wearing seat belts and avoiding alcohol before driving. The force also urged drivers to respect speed limits and refrain from using mobile phones at the wheel.

Sinart and local operators are working to manage the increased flow at the terminal while reminding passengers to use authorised carriers. Authorities say cracking down on irregular transport remains complex, but they will continue inspections and public information campaigns to encourage safe, lawful travel.

As families and holidaymakers leave Teresina for coastal and regional capitals, the mixed picture of rising short-term demand and longer-term shifts in passenger behaviour highlights the changing dynamics of regional travel in Brazil.