Will competition save european railways?

European railways in general, and the French railway network in particular, are not doing well. Is this because of competition, the trade unions, or the European Commission? Pierre Messulam thinks all of these have contributed to the problem, but that there are other factors. The troubles which have been highlighted by recent changes run deeper, and are intrinsically linked to the nature of this kind of transport which the State initially intended to be both a vector for industrial development, and a way of encouraging national unity. However, today this system is out of date and not only does it no longer meet the current economic and social needs of the country, but there are no ways of fixing it. Some rail transport sectors are faring better than others in the face of competition, but it is now necessary to rethink the role of the railway network and redefine the links which bind it to the nation.