Development of rail freight in Europe: what regulation can and cannot do

This CERRE Mobility report analyses why competition has been successfully implemented in some cases, and why, in other cases, it has led to a decline in the modal share for rail freight.

The case studies provide an overview of the state of rail freight transport in a selected number of Member States regarding market share, economic performance, rail regulation and political framework conditions.

This paper outlines recommendations on what regulation can and cannot achieve in the field of rail freight transport.

The project focused on three issues:

• structural factors affecting demand,
• organisational challenges faced by rail operating companies and their responses,
• challenges for rail freight regulation.