OPERATING COSTS AND MARKET ORGANIZATION IN RAILWAY SERVICES. THE CASE OF ITALY, 1980-1995
OPERATING COSTS AND MARKET ORGANIZATION IN RAILWAY SERVICES. THE CASE OF ITALY, 1980-1995
复制标题
铁路服务的运营成本和市场组织。
DOI：
10.1016/s0191-2615(01)00044-3
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发表时间：
2003
影响因子：
6.8
通讯作者：
P. Reverberi
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
P. Mancuso;P. Reverberi
我们使用1980-1995年的数据估计意大利铁路公司Ferrovie dello Stato （FS）的超越对数（translog）短期可变成本函数。在研究期间，我们发现：(a)超对数函数很好地近似了FS的底层技术；(b)所有生产要素需求都是非弹性的；(c)财政系统在不同投入之间进行替代的能力有限；(d) FS的运作密度不经济。这些发现的一个主要含义是，铁路网络没有得到最佳利用，因此，要么减少列车频率，要么增加资本投资，似乎表明了这一点。由于估计的成本函数在相关产出水平上是超加性的，我们得出，在缺乏监管的情况下，意大利的铁路服务供应不会表现为自然垄断。事实上，分配效率表明，有足够的空间来建立双头垄断的工业，在这种工业中，客运和货运的联合生产或专业化生产将主要取决于公司的规模。
We estimate a transcendental logarithmic (translog) short-run variable cost function for the Italian railway company, Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), using data on the years 1980–1995. Within the study period, we show that: (a) the translog function represents a good approximation of the underlying technology of FS; (b) all production factor demands are inelastic; (c) FS has a limited ability to substitute between inputs; (d) FS operates with diseconomies of density. A major implication of these findings is that the rail network is not used optimally, so that either a cut in the frequency of trains or a rise in capital investments seems to be indicated. Since the estimated cost function is super-additive at the relevant output levels, we derive that rail service provision in Italy would not behave as a natural monopoly in the absence of regulation. Indeed, allocative efficiency indicates that there is enough room for a duopolistic industry where joint or specialized production of passenger and freight carryings would be pursued, mainly depending on firm size.