5 ms·

The seperation of track ownership and operation from actually running the trains is mandated by EU directives, so that part is going to be the same pretty much

by makomk 5y ago

The seperation of track ownership and operation from actually running the trains is mandated by EU directives, so that part is going to be the same pretty much anywhere in the EU. I think some countries like Germany bend the rules a bit by having them run by nominally independent divisions of the same state-owned company (and sometimes go father than is allowed and end up on the losing end of court battles), but the UK is probably going beyond what it could do as a member of the EU here.

duxup 5y ago
What is the EU's reason for that rule?
- breakfastduck 5y ago
  Control & standardization.
- makomk 5y ago
  In theory this is meant to be a good thing because it allows for competition between train operators which sounds like it should lead to better outcomes for customers. There's also a desire for companies to be able to operate commercial trains that don't have government backing on an equal footing with the government-chosen operators, which only works if the other train operators also have an arms-length commercial relationship with the track owner and operator. Also, you need to bear in mind that European governments benefit from the other governments strictly following this rule because it means their train operators can run trains in those other countries, but are often less keen on doing so themselves. So there's an interesting dynamic where a lot of countries insist that of course they're following the rules, it's all the other European countries that are unfairly bending them to benefit their train operators.
  - duxup 5y ago
    Ah that makes sense, yeah I can see say Country A not being keen on giving Country B's trains a fair shake if their own rail company wants time on the tracks.
- apexalpha 5y ago
  Before this rule all tracks AND rolling stock would be owned by single, national entities in every country. If you were a Austrian train operator wanting to run trains to Germany you'd have to ask Deutsche Bahn for space on the rail, and they would (obviously) give priority to their own rolling stock. This would happen to the point where it was almost impossible to organise cross border rail connections. By seperating the track from the train you can make the train companies compete with each other on a (more) equal footing. Ironically, most of the 'private' train companies now running on UK tracks are actually Dutch, German and French state owned railway companies competing with each other.

by makomk 5y ago

duxup 5y ago

What is the EU's reason for that rule?

breakfastduck 5y ago
Control & standardization.
makomk 5y ago
In theory this is meant to be a good thing because it allows for competition between train operators which sounds like it should lead to better outcomes for customers. There's also a desire for companies to be able to operate commercial trains that don't have government backing on an equal footing with the government-chosen operators, which only works if the other train operators also have an arms-length commercial relationship with the track owner and operator. Also, you need to bear in mind that European governments benefit from the other governments strictly following this rule because it means their train operators can run trains in those other countries, but are often less keen on doing so themselves. So there's an interesting dynamic where a lot of countries insist that of course they're following the rules, it's all the other European countries that are unfairly bending them to benefit their train operators.
- duxup 5y ago
  Ah that makes sense, yeah I can see say Country A not being keen on giving Country B's trains a fair shake if their own rail company wants time on the tracks.
apexalpha 5y ago
Before this rule all tracks AND rolling stock would be owned by single, national entities in every country. If you were a Austrian train operator wanting to run trains to Germany you'd have to ask Deutsche Bahn for space on the rail, and they would (obviously) give priority to their own rolling stock. This would happen to the point where it was almost impossible to organise cross border rail connections. By seperating the track from the train you can make the train companies compete with each other on a (more) equal footing. Ironically, most of the 'private' train companies now running on UK tracks are actually Dutch, German and French state owned railway companies competing with each other.