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Private Rail in Germany: The Example of Connex. Overview:. Rail reform as the legal background: Open access “Regionalisation” as a new way of financing regional rail Connex as the biggest independent rail operator: Concept and philosophy. Rail reform: The situation in 1991/92.
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Overview: Rail reform as the legal background: • Open access • “Regionalisation” as a new way of financing regional rail Connex as the biggest independent rail operator: • Concept and philosophy
Rail reform:The situation in 1991/92 • Bundesbahn and Reichsbahn (former GDR) in desolate economic situation • Dwindling market share compared to road transport in spite of high state subsidies • Urgent need of investment
Recommendations of the “Pällmann-Committee”: More Competition! • By intramodal competition service quality and efficiency will be improved • By better service quality and efficiency the trend towards road transport will be stopped, maybe even reverted • New market participants will bring new know-how and fresh money
Recommendations of the “Pällmann-Committee”: Instruments to achieve competition: • Opening of rail infrastructure for independent operator • Financing of the deficit of regional rail through the federal states (“Länder”). • “Customer-client principle”: States are allowed to order regional rail services from other operators than DB • Complete opening of the market for (non-subsidised) long-distance passenger rail
Opening of rail infrastructure Deutsche Bahn was divided into • Transport subsidiaries (regional rail, long-distance rail, railfreight) DB Regio, DB Reise & Touristik, DB Cargo (=Railion) • Infrastructure companies (tracks, stations) DB Netz AG, DB Station & Service • Both divisions have separate accounting. In the long term both divisions would have been completely separated.
Opening of rail infrastructure • Independent train operators is given discrimination-free access to infrastructure (tracks, stations) – for a fair user fee, of course • Similar EU legislation was implemented by directive 91/440
“Regionalisation” Financing of the deficit in regional rail until 1994: / Federalgovernment Bundesbahn/ Reichsbahn Simple balancing of the whole deficit
“Regionalisation” Federal states =„orderer“ Financing of regionalrail from 1995: Regionalisation funds (ca. 7 Mrd. Euros/year) FederalGovernment Train operators: ... and ca. 30 others
“Regionalisation”: Goals: • Integration of regional know-how of the passengers’ needs • Clear responsibility • More transparency of the costs of regional rail • More efficient use of state subsidies
Results ofRegionalisation (1) • Increase of offered transport capacity (train kilometres) by 20 to 30 percent • On average slowly growing passenger number –against the overall trend in public transport • Spectacular passenger increases at some projects • Market share of independent train operators grew to 9-10 % (Connex 3 %)
Results of Regionalisation (2) • When tendering regional rail, the states/PTAs have realised savings of 15-25% - at the same or even better service level. • Some lines could be saved from closure and successfully revitalised
Connex in the regional rail market • Ca. 700 employees • 7 subsidiaries • 2 long distance trains • 1612 km line length • 19,2 Mio. train-km 2004 • 153 Diesel railcars • 3 conventional trains with loco • 248 Mio. Euro turnover 2003(excl. rail cargo, incl. bus) • Turnover 2004: 336 Mio. Euro
Connex in theregional rail market Market share in regional rail: • By train-km ca. 3 % • By turnover ca. 2 % • Main focus is - due to tendering practices - on secondary lines
The Connex Way Regional approach: • All Connex operations show a “regional face” to the customer. Goal: Passenger and PTA should call it “our railway”. “Global players” are unpopular with the German passenger (situation is different in railfreight) • Basically regional brandswith Connex co-branding • Joint ventures with municipally owned transport companies are possible:
The Connex Way Decentralised company structure: • Powerful medium-sized regional subsidiaries with powerful managing directors • Headquarter is mainly “service provider”: Legal affairs, taxation, partially finances and communications – it is not an all-powerful headquarter in a traditional way • Self-sufficiency of the subsidiaries allows quick decision-making in most cases
The rolling stock of Connex Mainly three types of DMU with similar characteristics • 120 km/h • 2 x 275 or 2 x 315 kW with mechanic power transmission • 120-150 seats Alstom LINT (38) Bombardier Talent (53) Siemens Desiro (18)
The rolling stock of Connex Three conventional trainsets, consisting of electric loco (class 185) and 4-6 refurbished express train cars (140 km/h)
The rolling stock of Connex From Dec. 2005 on the Hamburg-Island of Sylt route: Diesel-hauled push-pull trains with 6-12 cars, 140 km/h (Cars can run 160 km/h)
Outlook for the future • Municipally owned operator enter the market with dumping bids • Legal situation concerning contracting procedures and tendering unclear – contradictory laws and court decisions • Connex has to confirm its position as a reliable partner and high quality operator