The open access system: towards a more open and competitive rail system

ALFREDO SESÉ

Trough Law N° 27.132, the Executive established the open access modality to the national rail network. The system covers both, cargo and passenger transport services. The open access system will allow any operator to transport cargo from and to any point of the network, regardless of who holds the ownership or possession of the facilities at the point of loading or destination. The "general principles" on which the implementation of the open access modality will be based are: a) Equal access to the network and maximum utilization of the available capacity, which prevent arbitrary actions from affecting the competence regarding fixed extension, days and times of operation. b) Efficient calculation of infrastructure use fee. An updated methodology that considers the costs of maintenance and replacement of infrastructure will preserve the intermodal competitiveness.  c) Equal access to complementary services and workshops, provided and owned by the National State. d) Fair assignment of use in National State owned loading and unloading terminals, as well as in the collection centers. e) Transparent and fair allocation of National State owned rail cars. f) A unique operation system along the National Railway Network.