On December 8, 2022, Brazilian mobility startup Buser laid off approximately 160 employees, representing 30% of its total workforce. The company cited the need to adapt to a challenging macroeconomic environment and "the new reality of the market" as primary reasons. Additionally, Buser pointed to slow regulatory progress and selective enforcement actions by authorities, which it claims have created additional operational costs and hindered its collaborative charter bus model. The layoffs, which began that morning, affected all areas of the company equally. This move reflects broader pressures within the startup sector, as Buser, backed by investors like SoftBank, sought to streamline its operations amidst a difficult business and regulatory landscape.
