Perspektiv på avreglering av svensk järnvägspersontrafik
This thesis examines the deregulation reform of the Swedish railroad industry, focusing on passenger transport between 1988 and 2005. The purpose of the thesis is to examine the effects from the deregulation reform on prices, market concentration and to determine whether SJ (the state owned incumbent) has been conducting strategic behaviour in order to prevent new entrants to the market. The chosen method consists of interviews with the MD at SJ between 1988 - 1998 Mr Karl-Erik Strand, the transportation researcher at SSE Mr Gunnar Alexandersson. Statistical sources and companies financial reports have also been used. The results that I have found were besides the fact that the market concentration is still significant high and the profitability among the operators low, is that the prices has increased more than CPI during the period but the competitive tendering has resulted in lower government subsidies after the deregulation. The most severe entry barrier new entrant firms have been experiencing is the scarce supply of rolling stock. The shortage of equal access to rolling stock has in some specific occasions been used by the incumbent SJ to act in a strategic behaviour manner by preventing new entrant access to rolling stock and maintenance services of the same. There has also been one case of confirmed predatory pricing by SJ. Therefore I have suggested a dismantling of the rolling stock that is owned by SJ to create equal access to rolling stock as a future development of the deregulation reform along with a deregulation of the profitable railway lines as well.