For a gradual opening of passenger rail to competition (Policy Brief 242 - October 2011)
The European railways are gradually opening up to competition under the leadership of the European Commission : the transport of goods has been open since 2007, the international connections of passengers since 2010.
- For a gradual opening of passenger rail to competition (242 Executive Summary - October 2011)
A complete opening, eventually inevitable as part of Europe, aims to improve productivity and quality of rail services and reduce its cost to the community. It was anticipated differently by several European countries. Foreign examples, particularly Germany, show that competition can, if well organized, have beneficial effects for consumers and taxpayers, while allowing the incumbent to improve its competitiveness and continue its development. Rather than wait for the release of binding European legislation, it seems preferable that France gradually opened to competition, through experimentation, certain lines, so as to give everyone - customers, operators, transport authorities, personal - time to adapt. To carry out these experiments, it is necessary to amend the Transportation Code and to define the technical, legal and social (considering the report of Senator Grignon). The government announced in the coming months a timetable for opening to competition of some clearing trains territory (Corail) and regional lines could serve as a signal to all stakeholders and would allow commit the necessary discussions.
Contents:
- Competition can be beneficial if properly organized
- The definition of a clear perspective on the evolution of the rail industry is now a necessity
- The opening of free services has a high potential benefits for the community and should be conducted primarily in the form of experiments
- The opening to competition of high speed services present a lower priority but should be prepared now
- The introduction of competition requires to define the technical conditions
- Authors: Thomas Revial, Treasury Department . Christine Raynard and Francis Vielliard, Sustainable Development Department. With the help of Claude Abraham, general engineer of the Highways and Honorary President of the mission and Dominique Auverlot, Sustainable Development Department
Press Contact:
Jean-Michel Roullé, Head of Communications
Tel. + 33 (0)1 42 75 61 37 - jean-michel.roulle@strategie.gouv.fr