8 February 2011 - PRESS RELEASE - Ecorys has recently started a project to support the reform of the Turkish state railways (TCDD). The aim of this technical assistance project is to the enhance the efficiency of the railways and to make it more market oriented, so it will rely less on government funding. The EU tender for this project has a value of approximately € 3 million.

The process to reform TCDD and harmonize the rail sector started in the mid 1990’ies. European guidelines for the transport sector and liberalisation principles have been at the base of the reform efforts. Since 2003 TCDD has implemented four main projects that have already brought progress. These projects encompassed proposals on both the legislative framework and organizational aspects. However, more concrete proposals and actions are needed, and the present project will fill these gaps. In particular, a strategy and detailed action plan for restructuring, a system for infrastructure capacity allocation and charging, a network statement and a Rail Safety Management System will be developed.

Ecorys’ approach is characterised by a smooth cooperation structure between the consultant’s team and TCDD recognising that there are no single ‘fit-for-all’ solutions to be copied from European countries. The approach is focused on developing solutions that match the peculiarities and special conditions of Turkey. The support will be aimed at three components: setting a strategy for establishing framework conditions in order to realize railway reform in line with the draft Law package; strengthening capacity on infrastructure allocation and charging and strengthening capacity on safety and interoperability.

Ecorys has extensive experience in advising on railway reform and its institutional setting. Our experience include advice on improving the competitiveness of railways, advice on railway pricing policy, market studies for railway transport,  evaluations of  rail infrastructure projects, business cases and capacity building activities. Ecorys is also well know with TCDD for example though the recently finalised World Bank funded project on rationalization and preparation of a passenger service obligation (PSO) contract for rail passenger services in Turkey. The assignment started in January 2011 and will run for 24 months. Ecorys leads an international consortium comprising of Railistics, IFB and GOPA from Germany and PiriGroup and Armada from Turkey.

For more information:

Robert Eijkelestam
Head Dpt. Marketing & Communication
T +31 10 453 88 57
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