A dinâmica do transporte de passageiros por barcos expressos no rio Solimões-Amazonas

Abstract

The evolution of modes of production and the changing relationships between society and nature have driven a constant need for technological advancements in transportation. This is primarily because physical distances represent barriers that must be continually reduced to enable the full reproduction of capital and allow for the circulation of goods, raw materials, people, and information across the globe. In the context of the state of Amazonas, this need faces challenges posed by its geography, as the high level of forest preservation still sustains a way of life deeply connected to the rivers, maintaining a particular relationship between people and the fluvial environment. This research aims to understand the dynamics of passenger transportation via the fluvial mode, specifically through express boats, considering destinations departing from Manaus and those located along the Solimões-Amazonas River, from Tabatinga to Parintins, within the state of Amazonas. The study seeks to identify key points in the urban network that contribute to understanding these dynamics. The methodology is based on the theoretical framework of transport geography, networks, circulation, and economic geography. Documentary research and field surveys were the main tools used for the systematization of information. The results show that the fluvial transport networks along the Solimões-Amazonas River present a unique complexity, characterized by the interaction of contemporary technical elements with traditional practices. It was observed that ARSEPAM has played a significant role in regulating and overseeing the sector. The cities of Tefé, Tabatinga, and Parintins stand out as the main destinations along the Amazon River, due to their importance in the state's urban network, serving as hubs that attract and distribute passengers both to Manaus and to surrounding communities and cities. The findings helped establish an overview of the legal framework governing fluvial transport by express boats, as well as the limitations and persistent challenges in the sector. This highlights the need for further studies that systematize which demands can be addressed through spatial continuity, and which require spatial discontinuity strategies—i.e., in the short and long term, respectively.