User Charges for Railway Infrastructure [electronic resource] /
European Conference of Ministers of Transport.
Round Table on Transport Economics(107th :1998 :Paris, France)
Round Table on Transport Economics
European Conference of Ministers of Transport,author.
Paris : OECD Publishing,
1998.
Now that railway infrastructure and train operations have been separated in Europe -- at least for accounting purposes -- user charges for infrastructure are progressively being introduced to cover the costs of running trains. However, because of the lack of experience in this field, it is difficult to set the amount and choose the most appropriate form for these charges. There are in fact major differences between countries, and the objectives are many and sometimes conflicting. Given this situation, the Round Table sought to highlight, through its introductory reports and discussions, some essential economic principles that can help to shed light on what a rational system of user charges for railway infrastructure might be and thereby make it possible to address a crucial aspect of railway reform in Europe. Special attention is paid to the German, French, British and Swedish experience.
INTRODUCTORY REPORTS -- -User Charges for Railway Infrastructure by G. Aberle, Germany -- Economic Rail Infrastructure Tolls by L Baumstark and A. Bonnafous, France  -- Principles Underlying User Charges for Railway Infrastructure by J. Dodgson, United Kingdom  -- An Analysis of the Rail Transport System by J. O. Jansson, Sweden  -- NOTE BY THE CHAIRMAN -- -Issues Involved in Infrastructure Pricing by C. Martinand, France  -- SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS -- -Round Table debate on reports  -- LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph
Includes bibliographical references.
Now that railway infrastructure and train operations have been separated in Europe -- at least for accounting purposes -- user charges for infrastructure are progressively being introduced to cover the costs of running trains. However, because of the lack of experience in this field, it is difficult to set the amount and choose the most appropriate form for these charges. There are in fact major differences between countries, and the objectives are many and sometimes conflicting. Given this situation, the Round Table sought to highlight, through its introductory reports and discussions, some essential economic principles that can help to shed light on what a rational system of user charges for railway infrastructure might be and thereby make it possible to address a crucial aspect of railway reform in Europe. Special attention is paid to the German, French, British and Swedish experience.
User charges
Railroads

ECMT Round Tables