In the wake of the month-long anti-government protests, President Dilma Rousseff Thursday stressed the need for more investments in public transport nationwide, especially in subway systems.

At the inauguration ceremony of a subway line in Ceara state, northeastern Brazil, the president said that mid-size cities and capitals of less-developed states should receive as many investments in urban transport as larger states' capitals of the southeast did in the 1990s.

Criticizing former administrations from the 1980s and 1990s for failing to invest in the underground transport system, Rousseff said investments were being made in subway networks, light rail transit and dedicated bus lanes.

She also said the subway system is contributing to a better quality of life because of its faster speed.

"People spend a lot of time inside buses. When you make a project like this (the new subway line), people are in a better condition to face a day of work and return to their leisure and to their homes earlier," she added.

Rousseff's push for better public transport came in the wake of the month-long anti-government protests that were first sparked by transit fare hikes amid massive government spending on prestigious sporting events, such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games. The protests swiftly swept through the whole country.

To soothe the public anger, the authorities of Brazilian big cities scrapped the 10-cent increase in bus and subway fares.

Protesters also demanded better public education and healthcare, and an end to corruption in government.