2011年-世界发展银行全球_Railway_Reform_in_South_East_Europe_and_Turkey___On_the_Right_Track__278页_5mb

Summary of "Railway Reform in South East Europe and Turkey: On the Right Track?"

Core Content

This report evaluates the progress of railway reform in South East Europe and Turkey, focusing on institutional, operational, and financial performance, as well as regional integration. It builds upon the 2005 World Bank report on the Western Balkans and highlights the importance of reforming the railway sector to meet EU standards and improve efficiency.

Main Objectives

The primary goals of the railway reforms are:

• To align national legislation with the EU rail acquis.
• To enhance competition and financial performance.
• To support regional integration and the development of a single European rail space.
• To reduce the declining modal share of railways and improve the efficiency of rail services.

Key Findings

Institutional Reform

• Progress: Institutional reform has been limited in most countries, with only Bulgaria and Romania making significant strides.
• EU Rail Acquis: The EU rail acquis, which includes directives such as Directive 91/440/EEC, requires the unbundling of railway services, separating infrastructure from transport operations.
• Current Status: Most countries in the region still have vertically integrated state rail companies. Only Croatia, FYR Macedonia, and Montenegro have established separate joint stock companies for infrastructure and transport.
• Regulatory Bodies: Regulatory institutions are generally under-resourced and lack independence, which hampers their ability to enforce competition and manage the rail market effectively.
• Bulgaria and Romania: These countries have transposed the First Railway Package and have more advanced liberalization, with a notable emergence of private freight operators.

Operating and Financial Performance

• Traffic Trends: Overall rail traffic in the region declined in 2009 compared to 2001 and 2005, with freight traffic being the main driver.
• Performance: Despite some improvements, financial performance remains poor for state rail companies, which continue to operate at a loss.
• Impact of Financial Crisis: The financial crisis of 2008-2009 significantly worsened the financial position of state rail companies, forcing them to make painful cuts and reduce staff.
• Private Operators: In Romania, private freight operators have captured over 40% of the market, demonstrating the potential for competition and efficiency gains.

Regional Integration

• TEN-T Corridors: The Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) corridors IV and X are critical for international freight transport, and the report assesses their performance.
• Border-crossing Procedures: Improving border-crossing procedures is essential for enhancing the efficiency of international rail corridors.
• Integration Efforts: The report emphasizes the need for regional cooperation, including joint marketing, shared equipment, and coordinated operations.

Main Recommendations

1. Accelerate Institutional Reforms: Countries should implement the necessary institutional and regulatory changes to meet EU standards, including unbundling rail services and establishing independent regulatory bodies.
2. Improve Financial Performance: State rail companies need to adopt sound financial strategies, including cost containment and performance improvements, to ensure sustainability.
3. Enhance Regional Integration: Regional cooperation is crucial for improving the efficiency of international rail corridors and aligning with the broader European rail market.
4. Promote Competition: Introducing competition through public service contracts and track access charges can help improve the performance of state rail companies and reduce the need for state support.
5. Support Cultural Change: Rail companies must shift from a state-centric model to a more business-oriented approach, focusing on customer needs and efficiency.

Conclusion

The report serves as a wake-up call for policymakers and rail operators in South East Europe and Turkey, emphasizing the urgency of reforming the railway sector to align with EU standards and improve performance. It underscores that delaying reforms during periods of economic stability can lead to severe consequences when financial crises occur. The successful implementation of the EU rail acquis can create a level playing field, but it is not a panacea; it must be accompanied by sound business strategies and effective management practices. The report also highlights the importance of regional integration and the need for a coordinated approach to address the challenges facing the rail sector in the region.