Navigating Rail Reform and Open Access: Insights from Adj. Prof. Dr. Andrea Giuricin at the RSR Conference
At the recent Railway Safety Regulator (RSR), Railway Safety Conference and Exhibition in Cape Town, Railways Africa Magazine had the opportunity to sit down with Adjunct Professor Dr. Andrea Giuricin, CEO of TRA Consulting, for an insightful discussion. Known for his work across the global rail sector, Dr. Giuricin offered his expertise on rail reform, the complexities of open access, and how South Africa can draw lessons from international models to improve its rail systems.
Dr. Giuricin’s presentation during the RSR event highlighted the significant challenges in creating open access within rail systems. “It’s not easy at all,” he remarked, explaining that the process of opening access to private operators involves many steps. From creating track access charge systems to capacity allocation, he stressed that reforms cannot be implemented overnight. “Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the same applies to railway reform,” he noted, underscoring the long-term nature of the process.
Open access, according to Dr. Giuricin, is a crucial step for the development of the rail industry but requires careful planning and the cooperation of all stakeholders. Each country faces different challenges, shaped by its unique political, economic, and social contexts. As such, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to rail reform, particularly in a diverse country like South Africa.
Dr. Giuricin drew on his experience with rail systems around the world. He discussed the success of Italy’s high-speed rail network, where competition between two operators on the same infrastructure has led to a significant increase in passenger numbers, reduced fares, and improved service quality. He explained that currently, there are 164 daily connections between Milan and Rome, with trains departing every few minutes during peak hours—akin to a subway system. This high frequency, combined with competitive pricing and service improvements, has resulted in a significant modal shift from short-haul aviation, which is not that profitable, and private car use to rail.
In contrast, Dr. Giuricin pointed to the US as a prime example of a freight-dominated rail system. While Amtrak provides passenger services, freight remains the backbone of the US rail industry. He noted that the US rail freight sector operates with long trains over vast distances, which makes it highly efficient. However, Europe’s rail freight is hampered by shorter trains – and numerous borders, requiring frequent changes in drivers, locomotives, and signalling systems. This makes freight rail transport in Europe complex and challenging to be profitable.
Dr. Giuricin also highlighted China’s impressive investment in high-speed rail, where over 45,000 kilometres of high-speed lines have been constructed in just 15 years. This vast network, serving a population of 1.4 billion, has set a global benchmark in terms of both scale and speed of development. In addition to passenger services, rail freight plays a significant role in China. Dr. Giuricin also noted that other countries, such as Malaysia and Thailand, are beginning to implement reforms that introduce open access or third-party access to their rail networks. These reforms are designed to clarify the roles of infrastructure managers and rail operators, even when both may be part of the same company or under the same holding group. Different countries are moving towards these changes at different paces, but the trend towards separating and defining these roles is becoming increasingly common worldwide. Dr. Giuricin remarked that it is interesting to observe how these reforms are unfolding in various parts of the world.
Rail Reform in Africa
Shifting the focus to Africa, several countries on the continent have made significant progress in rail reform. Tanzania, for example, has implemented open access into its rail regulations, allowing third-party operators to use the rail network. Similarly, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are advancing reforms aimed at opening up their rail systems. Tanzania’s approach is noteworthy, as it focuses not only on building new infrastructure but also on revamping existing infrastructure and updating legislation to facilitate third-party access. The goal is to maximise the use of costly rail infrastructure by increasing the number of trains operating on the network. Currently, in many African countries, the market share for rail can be as low as 1-3%, which is insufficient. Africa, like other regions, needs a stronger rail backbone, particularly for freight, which is a crucial sector. While rail passenger services are also important, the primary focus across Africa remains on freight. These reforms, though complex and time-consuming, are essential for increasing the modal share of rail freight and ensuring that rail networks are used to their full potential.
High-Speed Rail and the Aviation Sector
Dr. Giuricin highlighted the clear modal shift from aviation and private cars to rail, particularly with the increasing use of high-speed trains. This shift is not only beneficial for passengers but also for the environment, as high-speed rail emits significantly lower emissions per passenger kilometre compared to cars or planes. The benefits extend beyond environmental impact, with social and economic advantages driven by competition in the rail sector. When asked about the impact of high-speed rail on the aviation industry, particularly in the context of potential projects in South Africa, Dr. Giuricin explained that the relationship between rail and aviation can be complementary. He noted that short-haul flights, often less profitable for airlines, could be replaced by high-speed rail, allowing airlines to focus on more lucrative long-haul routes. He gave the example of a project in Italy where airlines and railway operators are collaborating to create a seamless travel experience, with passengers taking high-speed trains to major airports before boarding long-haul flights. This intermodal approach, already successful in countries like France and Germany, could serve as a model for South Africa, allowing both sectors to thrive by focusing on their strengths.
Intermodal Collaboration: The Role of Trucking
Dr. Giuricin also discussed the importance of intermodal collaboration between rail and trucking, particularly for freight transport. He explained that while rail is efficient for moving large quantities of goods over long distances, it requires a well-coordinated system with trucking for first-mile and last-mile logistics. The development of dry ports, where goods can be transferred between trucks and trains, is critical to improving the efficiency of freight movement.
By fostering cooperation between rail and road transport, South Africa can boost the efficiency of its logistics sector, ultimately making the economy more competitive. As Dr. Giuricin pointed out, if you have a more efficient system, all sectors benefit, and the economy as a whole gains.
By Phillippa Dean – Editor Railways Africa Magazine
