Abstract
In this paper, the current crisis and institutional process in the Brazilian metropolitan railways industry are analysed. Initially, the historical development of these railways, and by extension that of the Brazilian urban transport systems, are discussed briefly, pointing out a cyclic crisis process. The present restructuring process for metropolitan railways is described and analysed. The paper concludes by discussing the perspectives for the future development of the system. (A) The French title of the paper is: "Le nouveau cadre institutionnel des trains métropolitains au Brésil".