NMa: capacity problems surrounding railway fueling stations largely resolved

The capacity problems surrounding railway fueling station have been largely resolved. This is the most important conclusion of the study Railway Fueling Stations into the supposed problems surrounding railway fueling stations, which was published today by the Office of Transport Regulation of the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa). This study had been triggered after an analysis of the results of the Rail Monitor of 2009. The Office of Transport Regulation annually publishes a Rail Monitor, which is based on interviews and consultations with railway undertakings and network infrastructure managers.

In addition to the aforementioned capacity problems, the NMa has looked into four other problems as well: denied access to the railway fueling stations of competitors, the quality of the fueling stations, inadequate provision of information, and the level of the tariffs.



Capacity and quality problems

Problems concerning available capacity have arisen as a result of fueling-capacity demand far exceeding supply. Demand for fueling capacity has substantially slowed down, in part because of the economic crisis but primarily because of the introduction of electric trains. Furthermore, technological innovations, too, increase supply. Railway fueling stations will have extended opening hours, and the refueling process will take up less time. By investing in these sorts of innovations, it will be possible to fuel more liters per minute.


Provision of information

The NMa's analysis has revealed that it is not always clear to freight railway undertakings what rules and conditions apply at each fueling station. Information concerning these rules and conditions is scarcely available, or, if available at all, is incorrect. Based on these results, ProRail has already adjusted several parts of its network statement. The NMa will be checking whether these adjustments are enough, and it will be asking Keyrail to adjust its network statement accordingly regarding this subject.



Tariffs

The indications surrounding the supposedly too high tariffs have not been tested against the Dutch Railway Act by the NMa. That is because the Railway Act stipulates that services for which there is no alternative must be cost-oriented. However, there is an alternative to using the railway fueling stations and gas oil, which is so-called mobile fueling.


The NMa would like to emphasize that the study is just a snapshot in time. New developments, changes in behavior of railway undertakings, or new information may result in the NMa revising its conclusions.