The liberalisation of railway sector

ABSTRACT

More than three decades ago, the European rail sector has been immersed in a process of gradual liberalization. To date, it is made up of four «railway packages», of 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2016. The provisions contained in them have established the common regulatory framework of the sector. However, outside the packages, Directive 2012/34/EU, of the Parliament and of the Council, of 21 November, which establishes a single European railway area and currently contains the principles governing European rail policy, has particular relevance. This dissertation analyses the evolution of the rail sector liberalization regime promoted at the behest of the EU, as well as the consequences derived from it in the different national legal systems, particularly in Spain. Likewise, the sector is studied from the viewpoint of competition law, to which it is currently subject.