Following the news and reviews regarding other transport sectors, I cannot help but feel a little sad. The developments in the maritime, air and road transport sectors are perceived as normal, and not as an offence or attack to the local and national identity. In these sectors, companies are born, evolve, merge or go bankrupt without affecting the integrity of the national or European being.
The railways, however… Having the capacity to carry large volumes of freight or passengers, the railways have always been perceived – even in early times – as a strategic entity, which helps defend the land and supply the strategic industries. That is why, although the liberalisation (and even the privatisation) of the railway transport activities began almost 20 years ago on the current territory of the European Union, we haven’t been able to become more detached from the natural developments of railway companies. We haven’t been able to accept the privatisation of certain activities, based on their strategic importance.
The largely divided infrastructure of the European Union and its neighbouring countries is still perceived as an advantage in protecting national interests and preventing foreigners from entering our “natural” territory. Delaying the standardisation of railway vehicles and infrastructure elements is part of this game. Also, cross acceptance of the tests performed is far from becoming a reality, hoping this way to provide co-nationals with an advantage.
In this technical context, we shouldn’t be surprised by the evolution brought by the expansion of certain operators’ commercial activities from one country to another. As my colleagues have written in their articles, the strategic commercial moves made by large European operators are seen as battles to take over more markets. The privatisation of certain European operators is postponed sine-die in order to avoid their takeover by companies considered as hostile to the nation. All this doesn’t apply only to large operators. Small activities, such as establishing commercial procedures for the cross acceptance of the tickets sold, accepting “foreign” rolling stock in depots and terminals are only a few aspects of the war which takes place in the railway world.
The European Commission’s decision to revise and codify railway directives is, to that end, highly appreciated, both in the interest of the railway sector and that of the entire society. Probably the moment in which we begin to accept the fact that business in the railway sector is as profitable as in any other sector will represent an actual turning point that will lead to a competitive and innovative transport sector. This will be the moment in which the railway sector will prove through its own forces that it brings added value to the society and that it doesn’t represent an instrument of manipulation for many obtuse institutions.
by Ştefan Roşeanu
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