ABSTRACT
The method the EU has chosen to achieve transport objectives involves turning the railways into a competitive business sector, from a State service. The idea is that if undertakings can make a profit from providing rail services, they will begin to do so, will compete with one another for clients, and will innovate to ensure they obtain and retain the maximum number of customers, thereby strengthening the sector. Whether this will occur or not remains to be seen, but the economic demand exists and the environmental case is strong.
