New breed of domestic open access businesses set to begin operation

The introduction of competition within individual national rail markets has been so far quite limited- even in the UK, where the concept was pioneered. James Dark considers if this could be about to change.

Shareholders in new Austrian open access company WestBahn Trains include Hans Peter Haselsteiner, chief executive of one of Europe’s largest construction companies, Strabag.

Shareholders in new Austrian open access company WestBahn Trains include Hans Peter Haselsteiner, chief executive of one of Europe’s largest construction companies, Strabag.

Veolia has become a competitor to DB with its services from Leipzig

Veolia has become a competitor to DB with its services from Leipzig

The announcement of plans for new international services has coincided with a series of private  schemes for new open access domestic routes unveiled this year. Several of the companies are backed by businessmen of international standing, and rival international operators, and reflect the pioneering approach to ‘open access’ followed in the UK. 

In Italy, Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo is a shareholder in NTV which is expected to challenge Trenitalia on core routes...