Rail competition and price dynamics in Czechia and Austria

Recent evidence from competitive European rail routes has shown that rail competition substantially influences fare dynamics. This paper investigates the impact of competition on fare development in two liberalized rail markets, Czechia and Austria, between 2019 and 2024. Average fares in Austria were approximately twice as high as in Czechia, reflecting higher income levels, faster rail services, and differences in discount schemes. While new entrants initially adopted low-price strategies to gain market share, their long-term strategies diverged. Some of the operators maintained relatively stable prices and low fares, whereas others shifted towards more flexible pricing. The structure and intensity of dynamic pricing were closely tied to market structure. Highly competitive markets exhibited stronger price variability across days of the week as well as across purchase lead times. Less competitive markets displayed more stable pricing patterns. These findings highlight that mature rail competition does not lead to uniform price reductions but fosters differentiated pricing strategies. • Newcomer rail strategies diverge from low-cost to premium models. • Dynamic pricing is driven by newcomers in Czechia, but by the incumbent in Austria. • In mature markets, competition fosters diverse business models, not just price wars.