Past and Future Regulation of Interurban Coach Services in Germany

This paper explores the position of the coach on the German transport market with particular reference to the formal arrangements that apply to the industry. This note is provided following recent calls to review the regulatory framework which until now has largely prohibited the development of long-distance scheduled coach services. If these proposals are adopted, the coach could emerge as a largely new mode of transport in Germany. Whether it will actually do so, however, is difficult to predict, considering the low awareness among the travelling public and the difficulties already experienced with competition in the long-distance rail sector.