The New Direct Award To Dutch Railways (NS) Will Cost More – For Both Passengers And Taxpayers
Netherlands: The government has directly awarded a new 9-year Public Service Obligation contract (‘PSC’) to state-owned NS to operate the Main Rail Network from 2025 until 2033.
But it is still not finalised: an infringement procedure is ongoing. Market opening would be better - for both passengers & taxpayers.
De Onderhandse Gunning Van Het Hoofdrailnet Aan NS Gaat Meer Kosten – Voor Zowel Reizigers Als Belastingbetalers
De Nederlandse overheid heeft een 9-jarige hoofrailnetconcessie voor de periode 2025 tot en met 2033 onderhands gegund aan NS.
Maar het is nog niet definitief: er loopt een inbreukprocedure. Marktopening zou beter zijn - zowel voor de reizigers als voor de belastingbetalers.
Portugal: Ridiculously Cheap Rail Pass Will Cost Hundreds of Millions and Have Serious Negative Results, Undermining Rail Market Opening
A new €20 rail pass has been announced by the Portuguese Government. It will give unlimited travel on all subsidised trains around the entire country for a whole month – including long-distance Intercity services.
Meanwhile, commercially driven Open Access services and future high-speed trains on similar long-distance routes as the Intercity services will be severely cannibalised.
PSO Subsidies For Me, But Not For Thee: SJ’s Curious Case Of Double Standards
In her interview with Swedish news outlet DN, SJ's CEO Monica Lingegård said: “Given the regions’ finances and the need to be careful with taxpayers' money, you need to ensure that you do not compete with commercial traffic unnecessarily. That we let commercial traffic live and grow in a good way”. However, it seems SJ's stance on taxpayer-funded competition changes depending on which side of the subsidy cheque they are on.