Opening up France’s passenger rail market: benefits and conditions for success

Frontier Economics was commissioned by the Association Française du Rail (AFRA) to assess the economic impacts of opening France’s passenger rail market to competition.

Drawing on evidence from France and other European markets, our study finds that effective competition can support the development of rail by increasing services, improving affordability, stimulating demand and encouraging investment and innovation. It can also contribute to the financing of the rail system and improve the efficiency with which public funding is used for contracted services.

These benefits are not automatic. Their realisation depends on creating the conditions for new operators to enter and develop sustainably, including appropriate infrastructure charging, access to essential facilities, a predictable investment framework and well-designed competitive tendering.

The Frontier team advising AFRA included Catherine Galano, Stefan Rohm, Tangui Perrot and Irina Vagabova.

Frontier regularly advises public and private sector clients on economic and regulatory issues in the rail sector across Europe.

Click here to read the full report Opening up France’s passenger rail market: benefits and conditions for success (in French)