Do European reforms increase modal shares of railways?. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tomeš, Zdeněk
• Is Part Of: Transport policy. Volume 60(2017)
• Page Start: 143
• Page End: 151
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Railways -- Modal share -- Vertical separation -- Horizontal separation -- Competition; Transportation and state -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Rates -- Periodicals; 388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2017.09.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-070X

Abstract

Abstract: The transport policy of the European Union aims to increase modal shares of railways. Its principal reform measures are vertical separation and competition entry. However, there are other possible reform strategies and it is not clear whether European reforms actually increase railway's modal shares. Based on an analysis performed on 27 European countries in the period 1995–2013, there is no evidence that vertical separation and competition entry increase modal shares of European railways. The horizontal separation of the freight and passenger division of the incumbent and subsequent privatisation of the freight division looks like a more promising strategy. There are also important structural differences between countries in Western and Eastern Europe which should be controlled for. Highlights: Vertical separation decreases modal share of railways. Competition has insignificant impact on modal shares. Horizontal separation and freight privatisation are more successful reform strategies.