How Efficient are Intercity Railway Prices and Frequencies in Europe?: Comparing a Corridor in Belgium and in France

Guillaume Monchambert and Stef Proost

Journal of Transport Economics and Policy, 2019, vol. 53, issue 4, 323--347

Abstract: This paper studies the efficient pricing of medium-distance passenger rail in Europe. Current fares and frequencies are compared with three alternatives: first-best where road congestion is internalised; second-best where no road tolls are implemented; and third-best where a maximum rail deficit is also imposed. We find that second-best fares depend strongly on the non-internalised road congestion and on the price elasticity of the passengers, complicating the derivation of a national or regional fare structure. Second-best achieves a significant share of the first-best benefits, but adding a budget constraint makes second-best solutions difficult to implement for some corridors.

Date: 2019
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https://www.jstor.org/stable/26800459

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Working Paper: How " efficient " are intercity railway prices and frequencies in Europe? Comparing a corridor in Belgium and in France (2018)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:tpe:jtecpo:2019:53:4:323--347

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