Comparative Analysis of Railway Market Liberalization and Interoperability as a Progress Towards a Single European Railway Area

Abstract

Railway transport is a key pillar of the European Union’s strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, in line with the goals of the European Green Deal. This study provides a comparative analysis of the railway market liberalization process in selected Central European countries (the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia) in the context of developing the SERA. Methodologically, the study is based on a qualitative analysis of EU regulations, particularly the four Railway Packages, and a comparison of market indicators in freight and passenger transport. The results show that while the freight transport sector shows a high degree of openness, the passenger transport market in the reviewed countries is still characterized by the dominance of national carriers with persisting barriers for new entrants. The discussion focuses on the technical aspects of interoperability, particularly the implementation of the ERTMS. In conclusion, the study emphasizes that further liberalization and investment in modern technologies are essential for increasing the competitiveness of railways relative to other modes of transport.