Rolling stock management and railway efficiency: Evidence from a line-level analysis of regional rail services in France

Nicolas Fabre, Florent Laroche () and Louafi Bouzouina
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Nicolas Fabre: LAET - Laboratoire Aménagement Économie Transports - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - ENTPE - École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CRC Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes - Chambre régionale des comptes Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Florent Laroche: LAET - Laboratoire Aménagement Économie Transports - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - ENTPE - École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Louafi Bouzouina: LAET - Laboratoire Aménagement Économie Transports - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - ENTPE - École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

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Abstract: Previous railway efficiency studies largely rely on aggregated data, which limits insight into the operational drivers of performance. Using a unique line-level dataset from a French region (117 observations), this paper leverages fine-grained information to explain within-region heterogeneity by linking cost efficiency to rolling-stock characteristics and maintenance practices. Results identify rolling stock as a central efficiency determinant. Lines operated with older, heterogeneous fleets are systematically less efficient, consistent with higher maintenance complexity and weaker standardization. Operating density also remains a key correlate, confirming economies of density. These findings are critical for the transition to competitive tendering. As networks fragment into bundles, line-level benchmarking aligns with procurement. The proposed framework distinguishes non-discretionary constraints from discretionary levers under the PTA's and operator's responsibility. Ultimately, these metrics provide a quantitative foundation for contract negotiation and investment planning, facilitating the arbitration between operational efficiency gains and the capital costs of fleet transformation.

Keywords: Competition; Rolling stocks; DEA; Regional railway; Efficiency analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-06
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05546175v1
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Published in Journal of Rail Transport Planning & Management, 2026, 38, Paper No. - 100579. ⟨10.1016/j.jrtpm.2026.100579⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05546175

DOI: 10.1016/j.jrtpm.2026.100579

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