Background EG 2 Rail
The starting point from the point of view of EC policy is the implementation of rail infrastructure charges in line with directive 2001/14. This directive allows for charges to be based on marginal cost, but with specific mark-ups in different circumstances. Its implementation has involved a great deal of effort in different countries to devise suitable charging systems, with a considerable degree of diversity of response. Some countries have adopted very low charges based broadly on short run marginal cost whilst others have adopted much higher charges based broadly on long run marginal cost and incorporating the allowed for mark-ups. Some countries have several different charges disaggregated according to route, train type, time period etc, whilst others have much less disaggregated charging structures. In addition, some countries have adopted charges that are apparently not in line with the directive. What emerges is a wide variety of charging regimes in different parts of the EU which, it is believed, leads to distortions in both the level of rail traffic and the routeing of international traffic. A recent DGTREN workshop concluded that it was the high level of charges in certain countries rather than diversity of structure of charges that was the real problem.
The reasons underpinning the different approaches to the directive, and the impact that such a mix of charging regimes has, will be important questions to understand in greater depth. Perspectives on these questions are likely to differ between government and industry, and, within the industry, between freight and passenger sectors.
There is also new research being undertaken in the area of measurement of the marginal social cost of rail infrastructure use, e.g. within the GRACE project which could serve to inform charging levels and structures. Findings from this research, including specific work looking at generalisation of cost estimation, may be an important means of developing a greater degree of consensus on the subject and a greater degree of harmonisation of charging approach across the EU.