MPE_ERPO European Rail Policy

Faculty of Economics and Administration
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
prof. Chris Nash (lecturer), Ing. Monika Jandová, Ph.D. (deputy)
Prof. Christopher Alfred Nash, PhD, dr. h.c. (lecturer)
Ing. Tomáš Paleta, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Ing. Monika Jandová, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Ing. Tomáš Paleta, Ph.D.
Department of Economics – Faculty of Economics and Administration
Contact Person: Mgr. Jarmila Šveňhová
Supplier department: Department of Economics – Faculty of Economics and Administration
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to provide an overview of basic aspects of the European rail policy, and specificities of passenger and freight railway transport and their regulation. Topics are illustrated on the UK case study.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able to:
- explain the objectives and principles of the European rail policy;
- describe and evaluate the alternative structural approaches to railway regulation;
- analyse practical problems with railway regulation in both passenger and freight sector;
- discuss rail pricing issues;
- evaluate railway privatisation in the UK.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to European rail policy

  • Session 1. Objectives and principles

    Session 2 The alternative structural approaches (complete vertical separation, holding company, hybrid)
  • Session 3. Passenger market competition
  • Session 4. Freight market competition
  • 2. Passenger railway transport
  • Session 1 Franchising
  • Session 2 Open access competition
  • Session 3 Controlling costs
  • Session 4 Investment
  • 3. Freight railway transport
  • Session 1 Structure of the freight sector in Britain
  • Session 2 Privatisation
  • Session 3 Rail track access charges
  • Session 4 Competition and pricing of heavy goods vehicles
Literature
  • A handbook of transport economics / edited by André de Palma ... [et al.]. Edited by André De Palma. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2011, xviii, 904. ISBN 9781847202031. info
Teaching methods
The course has a form of a lecture and class discussions. The lectures are divided into three parts (in three days). • The course includes self-study, reading of articles and preparation for the final exam of approximately 125 hours.
Assessment methods
The exam is in a form of written exam in form of Open-ended questions.The course can be completed in case of a stay abroad: participation in lectures is optional, and the exam can be taken after returning.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: in blocks.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/econ/spring2025/MPE_ERPO