The French Competition Authority (Autorité de la concurrence) has released a detailed opinion regarding the competitive functioning of the land passenger transport sector, highlighting its critical role in the French economy and social cohesion. The authority's review comes in light of significant changes in the sector, particularly due to new European legislation and the impending opening of contracted rail transport to competition.

Initiated on December 19, 2022, the opinion was informed by a public consultation held from March 3 to March 31, 2023, which garnered 36 contributions. The authority engaged with various stakeholders, including the French Transport Regulatory Authority, relevant ministries, regional and city representatives, and major players like SNCF Réseau and SNCF Gares & Connexions. The analysis also drew from numerous public reports and documents from various organizations, including the French Court of Auditors and the French Ecological Transition Agency.

This opinion marks a significant step as it systematically reviews the implementation and impact of past recommendations within the sector. It updates the competitive landscape analysis to incorporate intermodality and sustainable development, reflecting recent legislative and regulatory changes.

The 250-page document provides a comprehensive assessment, offering specific recommendations for each market segment. The authority concludes that competition is essential not only for reducing costs and enhancing service quality but also for facilitating the ecological transition of the transport sector, thereby supporting sustainable transport policies.