Impacts of Regionalization and Liberalization on the Rail Sector in Switzerland

This article aims to analyse the current changes (regionalization and liberalization reforms) in the railway sector in Switzerland and their impacts on the technical, economic, social and ecological sustainability of this network industry. To this end, it uses the theoretical framework of institutional regimes for infrastructural resources, which implies an analysis of these reforms in terms of both public policies and property rights. The article highlights the historical significance of the ongoing regime change and identifies emerging regulatory issues arising from the liberalization and regionalization of the railway sector.