Miquel Biada: Railway pioneer in Catalonia
The name of Miquel Biada resonates strongly in the history of transport in Catalonia. The businessman of Mataró was the first to make the dream of uniting his hometown with Barcelona through a railway service. In 1848, his vision allowed merchandise and travelers to move between the Maresme and the Catalan capital in only 36 minutes, thus revolutionizing the mobility of the region.
Biada’s inspiration: a journey to the future
Biada, influenced by the experiences he lived in Venezuela and Cuba, where he made his fortune thanks to his tireless work, witnessed the impact of trains in Cuba. After seeing the English machines and wagons they transformed the transportation landscape, he decided that the railway was the way to go for Catalonia. With the support of other Catalan investors, he began the construction of the line that would connect Mataró with Barcelona, a crucial step for the industrialization of the area.
A counterpoint: the first Spanish train
The first train in Spain would not arrive until 1851, three years after Biada launched its service. Interestingly, this train was designed to facilitate the trips of royalty, with public resources funding a luxury that had little to do with the needs of the people. While Catalonia used its resources for infrastructure and progress, in the rest of Spain, the money was diverted to personal interests of the court.
The consequences of the tax deficit
Catalonia has suffered for decades a fiscal deficit that has left its infrastructure in a precarious situation. Despite being one of the most productive regions, money raised often does not return to benefit the well -being of its citizens. Examples are numerous: from the construction of the Mediterranean motorway, funded by the box in the 70’s, to the long wait for the Mediterranean corridor, which is still a non -complete promise.
Current reality: Train trips and incomplete promises
Today, a train trip from Mataró to Barcelona can take between 43 and 45 minutes, a time similar to that of almost two centuries ago. While Spain looks at AVE traveling at impressive speeds, the commuter services in Catalonia continue to suffer the consequences of an obsolete and poorly managed system. Spanish government promises to improve infrastructure are common, but results are often not seen.
Reflections on the future
The experience of Miquel Biada reminds us that innovation and investment are key to progress. However, the current reality shows that resources and investments do not always reach where they are most needed. The history of the Mataró train in Barcelona is an example of how inequality in the treatment of the Spanish regions persists, with Catalonia paying the price for its contribution to the State. The hopes of improvements in the future seem distant, but the determination and resilience of the Catalan people are stronger than ever.
