The railway sector is confronted with

• insufficient use of the systemic and technological potentials of the railways
• a perception of cost-intense railway operations without real-ising saving potentials
• improving environmental performance and ongoing attractive-ness of other transport modes

It is lacking today:

• energy efficiency and environmental criteria are often part of the awarding texts, but often not considered when a decision has to be made
• an insufficient use of available, advanced technology solutions
• an insufficient integration of procurement activities in Train Operating Companies
• investment in and the operation of rolling stock are managed separately
• in particular: No integrated procurement processes between rolling stock and infrastructure
• approaches promoting a sustainable procurement are not used or not known (LCC approach)

Why regional rail transport?

• Market share in the railway sector over 50%
• Market opening: Gradual, but increasing transfer of responsibilities for the organisation of regional rail transport from state-owned railway operators to regional and communal administrations all over Europe
• Growing market share of new Train Operating Companies (TOC's) since the 1990s
• Example Germany: 27 Public Transport Administrations (PTA's) responsible for 630 million train-km, operated by 69 TOC's with a value of 6,4 billion per year (BAG SPNV)