Chapter 35: Modelling Performance: Rail^†

The rail sector has long been at the centre of attention for policy-makers. In many countries rail has been losing market share and has required increasing subsidies, or at least has not made adequate rates of return. This has led to a wide range of possible policies to improve the situation, including major steps towards deregulation in North America, vertical separation into infrastructure and train operating companies with increased access for new entrants in Europe, and outright privatization or franchising to the private sector in many parts of the world, including Japan, much of South America, New Zealand and Great Britain.