The Portuguese Competition Authority (AdC) has initiated a public consultation regarding its preliminary study on competition within the rail passenger and freight transport sector in Portugal. This study identifies significant barriers to effective liberalisation and proposes 14 recommendations aimed at various stakeholders, including the government and rail operators.

Key findings of the study highlight the lack of competition in the passenger rail market, particularly due to the absence of competitive public tenders for public service contracts. The AdC suggests that the extension of CP – Comboios de Portugal's public service contract should be limited to the necessary period for investment amortisation, followed by an international public tender for new contracts.

Additionally, the study points out obstacles related to accessing essential inputs for railway operations, such as rolling stock and human resources. The AdC emphasizes the need for non-discriminatory access to these inputs to foster competition in future tenders.

Barriers to entry are exacerbated by the specific characteristics of the national rail network, including the requirement for rolling stock compatibility with the Iberian gauge and the CONVEL signalling system. The AdC has issued recommendations to mitigate these constraints, particularly in long-distance passenger and freight transport.

The importance of ensuring effective access to ticketing information for alternative platforms is also underscored, with recommendations directed at the government and rail operators. The AdC notes that experiences from other EU Member States indicate that rail transport liberalisation can lead to lower prices, improved service quality, and increased innovation.

The public consultation will be open for 20 working days, allowing interested parties to submit their comments and statements.