10 Years After Olympics, Rio’s Chronically Neglected Suburban Rail System Is Handed Over to New Consortium, Nova Via Mobilidade

Ten years after Rio de Janeiro's 2016 Olympic Games, the city's long-neglected suburban rail system has been taken over by a new consortium called Nova Via Mobilidade. This shift comes after the previous operator, SuperVia, ceased operations in May 2026 following 30 years of service. The decline of Rio's train network has been a persistent issue, rooted in a long-term process rather than a single poor contract.

Marcos Vinícius Lopes Campos, a researcher at the Brazilian Center for Analysis and Planning, notes that the decline began in the 1950s when trains ceased to symbolize economic progress. The last major investment in the rail system occurred in 2010, when SuperVia's contract was extended for an additional five years. However, the Olympic Games in 2016 marked a period of significant passenger growth, despite the rail infrastructure receiving the least amount of investment compared to other urban transport projects like BRT and subway systems.

The consortium's leaders had hoped to boost daily passenger numbers to levels seen in the 1970s, around one million per day. Yet, the pandemic-induced drop in revenue has left the trains stuck in a state of stagnation, with no viable solutions for renovation, profitability, or replacement. The deteriorating conditions of the Rio de Janeiro trains have a direct impact on commuters' ability to travel, as they face structural issues, lack of comfort, and safety concerns during their journeys.

The tragic story of Joana Bonifácio, a young Black woman who lost her life due to SuperVia's negligence, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the city's train system.