Jon Worth1d ago

Important 🇪🇺 rail news

🇨🇿 private operator RegioJet is pulling out of Poland on 3 May, not even a year after entering the market there

Run this through machine translation:
https://zdopravy.cz/regiojet-konci-v-polsku-peklo-ktere-ohrozuje-nasi-firmu-vysvetluje-jancura-278394/

RegioJet končí v Polsku. Peklo, které ohrožuje naši firmu, vysvětluje Jančura - Zdopravy.cz

Dopravce tvrdě zkritizoval neférové podmínky na polském trhu.

Zdopravy.cz
Show threadAdam1d ago

@jon That sounds deeply shitty for RegioJet but I can't fault the "reducing intercity fares massively" action even if it's done for the worst of motives.

I've noticed that one of the Green parties here is recommending reducing transport fares (including SNCB) to a token amount here, and that would presumably screw over any potential foreign operators..

Show threadJon Worth1d ago
@pseudomonas But it also shows there's a lack of political control over PKP IC. If you want a state operator, ok, fine, but then it has to behave like one, and not like a rent seeking capitalist!
Show threadAdam1d ago
@jon oh, yes, I'm not defending their actions in general. I'm just wondering aloud whether and how you can have decent competition and also provide subsidies for extremely low fares for social/environmental reasons. I guess subsidise all operators that are operating in your territory that are prepared to offer equivalent fares, though I wonder how that would work in practice. Is anywhere doing that?
Show threadJon Worth1d ago
@pseudomonas You can. But then you need tenders not open access. Czechia shows you can do it, if you want to.
Show threadAdam
@jon Thanks! I knew you'd know the answer!
Apr 9 at 9:59amWeb