Boardingthesuburbanrails

Image description: The image is a black-and-white engraving depicting the inauguration of the Dom Pedro II Railroad on March 29, 1858. On the left side, we see a building with arches and hanging flags. In front of it, there is a platform where a train with several carriages stands. People are gathered in groups along the platform, some holding flags. In the center, a larger group is gathered near the train. On the right, there is another building similar to the first, with windows and rooftops. The sky is cloudy, and palm trees are scattered throughout the scene. At the bottom of the image, there is text that reads: "INAUGURAÇÃO DA ESTRADA DE FERRO - PEDRO II". Below, it is written: "O TREM INAUGURAL DA ESTRADA DE FERRO DOM PEDRO II EM 29-3-1858, HOJE ESTRADA DE FERRO CENTRAL DO BRASIL".

The year 2022 began in Rio de Janeiro with the reduction of several bus lines and with fare increases on other means of transportation, such as ferries and trains. The improvement in service quality, to no surprise of users, did not keep pace with such an increase. The inconveniences in commuting suffered today by suburban residents are nothing new for this population. In fact, they had already existed since public transportation services were first implemented, in the 19th century.

Elaina Serfaty's book, "Pelos Trens dos Subúrbios: disputas e solidariedades no Engenho de Dentro (1870-1906)," addresses how train service, inaugurated in 1858 in the state of Rio, influenced the occupation of the suburbs in that century, specifically Engenho de Dentro, the site where the train workshops were built.

A cartoon by Ângelo Agostini, published on September 28, 1882, in Revista Illustrada, shows how the issue of transportation — especially the conflict between public and private interests — has been on Rio de Janeiro's agenda for centuries now. The illustration was made in the context of a possible reduction in the number of trips made by suburban trains, which, according to some senators, was harming the transport of cargo for export. Agostini, as is typical of him, expresses his own particular view on the subject through his drawings, in this case shown by the minister of agriculture fallen to the ground, run over by the train that symbolically and literally represents the strength of the collective, the victory of suburban residents in defense of their rights to maintain the number of trips.

Image description: The image is a black-and-white engraving. On the left, we see a train with the inscription "PUBLIC INTEREST" and "SUPPRESSION OF SUBURBAN TRAINS." It is pushing a man lying on the ground. In the center, there is a small train with the inscription "VILLA ISABEL" and "PRIVATE INTEREST." Inside it are two men. In the background, we see a house and a tree.

Indeed, there were politicians who proposed making access to the city's more suburban areas easier. One of the members of the capital's Sanitary Commission, José Maria Teixeira, went so far as to suggest, as a measure to encourage this policy, lowering the price of tram and train tickets to the suburbs, as well as expanding and increasing the number of schedules and routes offered. It was believed that this would lead to greater control and a gradual reduction in workers' reprisals and strikes, as well as an improvement in the aesthetic and hygienic conditions of the city center. What can be seen is that, since the late nineteenth century, the crux of the matter has been the political will of public authority agents.

It's obvious that a lot has changed from March 1858 — when the initial stage of the Dom Pedro II railroad was completed — to the present day. However, the train has never stopped being a fundamental element for Rio's suburban commuters. The protagonist of several stories, from its inaugural trip — with Dom Pedro II and his family as passengers —, through street vendors, religious preachers, train surfers and many artists, all the way to the famous Trem do Samba and Trem do Choro, complaints about the quality of service and the price of fares have long been familiar to Rio residents.

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of an urban scene. On the left, we see two men in suits, one standing and the other sitting on a box. In front of them is a woman in a dress holding a bag. In the center, a woman in a short dress leans against a post with a sign that reads "ONIBUS." On the right, two women walk together, and further to the right is a girl in a short dress. In the background, there are trees and distant buildings.