Economic Determinants of Passenger Railway Transport in the European Union

Thomas Poufinas (), Angeliki C. Panagopoulou and James Ming Chen
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Thomas Poufinas: Democritus University of Thrace
Angeliki C. Panagopoulou: Democritus University of Thrace
James Ming Chen: Michigan State University

Atlantic Economic Journal, 2025, vol. 53, issue 3, No 3, 143-165

Abstract: Abstract This paper investigates the determinants of railway usage for passengers using traditional econometric and machine-enhanced methods. The analysis employs European Union data retrieved from The World Bank and Eurostat, spanning the years from 2000 to 2018 and covering 25 European Union countries. The size of the rail network, the gross domestic product per capita, and the fertility rate positively affect passenger traffic. Unemployment has a negative impact. Country-specific effects also appear. Policymakers, regulators, and private stakeholders in transportation, tourism, environmental protection, energy use, and economic development should focus on expanding the rail network, reducing unemployment, increasing GDP per capita, and adopting family-friendly practices. Such policies should be adapted to country-specific needs.

Keywords: Rail transport; Economic growth; Railway passengers; Regularized regression (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C51 E60 F47 R41 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s11293-025-09831-5

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