Privatization and Deregulation of Transport

This book is based on a seminar held at Oxford University in September 1997. It took place following the election of the first Labour government for 17 years and following the announcement of the consultation process leading up the publication of a Transport White Paper. The seminar sought to address the somewhat contradictory situation of a government of the left inheriting a transport industry largely privatized and deregulated, but unwilling to commit itself either to the expense of re-nationalization or to finding the large sums of money needed for investment in public infrastructure and facilities. The debate reflects views on the legacy of the previous administration and on the challenges facing the new government. The chapters contain a mix of expert academic, regulatory body and industry viewpoints on bus, freight, airline and train industries. Most, but not all, start from an economic regulation perspective.