Jakub TACZANOWSKI, Jagiellonian University, Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Poland
Marcin KRÓL, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of World Economy, Poland
Still under-researched, in terms of passenger rail liberalisation Central Europe is one of the most interesting and varied regions. The aim of our paper is to present different degrees of long-distance rail competition in this region. Interestingly, activities of both domestic and foreign railway operators are making Central Europe the potential driver of innovation in long-distance passenger rail. Due to a traditionally important role of rail in Central-European transport systems, the geographical position of the region and its settlement pattern – with numerous large cities situated mostly within the distance of about 300-800 km from each other – and thanks to the presence of relatively good-quality infrastructure (e.g. Czechia has the densest railway network in the EU, Poland has the share of electrified railway lines higher than Germany or France etc.) the region seems to be a very promising market for passenger rail. It is also in this part of Europe – more precisely in Czechia – that we are witnessing the most fierce open-access rail competition in Europe. What is more, one of the Czech private operators is also actively developing its network of international connections – including launching completely new cross-European night trains – aiming at becoming one of the main long-distance rail operators in the centre of the continent. In Poland, we are witnessing a very unusual competition between the long-distance national railway incumbent and regions-owned local companies entering lucrative long-distance connections serving tourist destinations. On the other hand, the active and innovative Central-European challengers face protectionist practices of governments and controversial actions of regulatory bodies that rather restrict than stimulate competition. All in all, Central Europe provides an interesting testing ground for analysing the clash of interests and actions between challengers, incumbents and other parties involved into passenger rail market.
Mots clés : railway liberalisation|open-access competition|passenger railway transport|long-distance rail connections|Central Europe
A104412JT