Why and how to manage the process of liberalization of a regional railway market: South-Eastern European case study

The processes of restructuring of the railway sector and liberalization of the railway market in different South-Eastern European (SEE) countries vary significantly in terms of models and dynamics. As a result, the effects of these processes, as well as competitiveness of railways in the transport market, become reduced. The aim of this paper is to answer the questions of how and by which parameters the process of the market liberalization and restructuring of railways in the SEE region should be managed, i.e. how to harmonize and synchronize this process and increase its effects. The process of restructuring has been considered in four segments: market institutions and legislation related to the railway sector, restructuring of the incumbent, degree of the railway market liberalization and financial arrangements between the state and actors of the railway market. The parameters used to compare and discuss the levels of restructuring and how to manage the harmonization have been defined for all of the mentioned segments. As a response to the need for coordination and dynamic alignment of restructuring processes and market liberalization in a region with an atomized rail network such as the SEE region, it has been proposed that the liberalization of the railway market should be realized in phases.