Study on public service obligations for passenger transport by rail

Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) ()
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Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC): Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC)

Colección Estudios de Mercado from Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC)

Abstract: Rail passenger transport is essential for economic and environmental sustainability and for social and territorial cohesion. This study identifies possible barriers that may affect the process of opening up services subject to public service obligations (PSO) to competition. To minimise these obstacles and ensure that the potential benefits of opening up are realised, it is recommended, first, to adopt a pro-competitive approach in the application of the regulations regarding the designation of PSO and their award, according to an ambitious timetable. Second, to establish an appropriate institutional framework, decoupling public operators providing services from infrastructure managers and tendering authorities, while strengthening independent oversight of the process. Third, ensure that new operators can access the relevant inputs (including infrastructure, rolling stock, workshops, driving personnel) and the information needed to compete effectively.

Keywords: Railway; Public Service Obligations; Regulation; Competition; Passenger Transport; Liberalisation; Tenders (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: K23 L43 L5 L92 R4 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 133 páginas
Date: 2026-05-04
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https://www.cnmc.es/sites/default/files/6599183.pdf Study. English version (application/pdf)
https://www.cnmc.es/sites/default/files/6589667.pdf Study. Spanish version (application/pdf)
https://www.cnmc.es/sites/default/files/6599196.pdf Press Release (English) (application/pdf)
https://www.cnmc.es/sites/default/files/6599194.pdf Press Release (Spanish) (application/pdf)
https://www.cnmc.es/sites/default/files/6599203.pdf Questions and Answers (Spanish) (application/pdf)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:awo:epaper:e/cnmc/001/24_eng

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