European legislation makes up an important limit for a discussion about 'who does what' in the market of passenger transport by rail. One of the most important goals of European legislation is the promotion of a common market. This principle will be leading also in the future development of it. In order to create a European common market it is, on one hand, needed that access to the market is organised, in a non-discriminatory way. On the other hand, it is needed that there are parties who are able and willing to access the market or parts of it. Within rail transport those requirements seem to be sometimes contradictory because relevant tasks for access to the market are also of relevance for the commercial exploitation of the railway operator. The transfer of these tasks to institutions independent of the railway operator does not always seems to be effective. This contribution deals with the content of European legislation about the characteristics and vitality of parties in the market, access to and use of rail infrastructure, and with access to the market of passenger transport by rail. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E206647.
Samenvatting