Investment, Reprocurement and Franchise Contract Length in the British Railway Industry

David M Newbery and Luisa Affuso

No 2619, CEPR Discussion Papers from Centre for Economic Policy Research

Abstract: This Paper studies the interaction between repeated auctions of rail franchises of different lengths, uncertainty, and incentives for investment in rolling stock, following the privatization of British Rail. Theoretical predictions are tested empirically using a unique panel of data. Theory suggests that short franchise lengths reduce incentives to invest in specific assets. Our empirical results suggest that competition and strategic behaviour at the re-procurement stage can create incentives for delayed investment. Investing just before the end of the franchise enhances the incumbent?s probability of having the contract re-awarded and provides it with a first-mover advantage, while raising the entry cost for other potential bidders.

Keywords: Railways; investment; Contracts; Panel data (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C23 D23 L22 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2000-11
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

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