Competition and regulation : the role of ownership.

This paper provides a review of theoretical principles governing competition and regulation. The relationship between public sector control, private sector ownership and the need for regulation is expalined with reference to the UK. An overview of patterns of control and reguation in ECMT member and observer countries is given. An overview of the reform of control and regulation in urban and local transport in Central and Eastern Europe shows that much regulation of transport still remains under direct political control but following accession into the EU, European Directives are a main guiding factor for national legislation in the transport sector. The emergence of competitive tendering as the preferred option for urban and local transport is described. The lessons learned from experience in ECMT member states and observer countries for effective regulatory structures and patterns of control in Eastern Europe are described. For the covering abstract of this conference see ITRD E128114.