Competition in the German Interurban Bus Industry: A Snapshot Two Years after Liberalization

Abstract

We study competition in the German interurban bus industry two years after its liberalization in January 2013. In addition to a brief characterization of the liberalization process and several general market developments, we provide a detailed analysis of selected market characteristics such as concentration and competitive interaction, fares as well as service quality. We use the gained insights to discuss two recent policy issues – industry consolidation and possible abuses of market power by incumbents – and derive several recommendations to secure effective competition in the industry.

Keywords: Liberalization, interurban bus services, competition, merger, predation, Germany

JEL Classification: L11, L41, L43, L92, K21, K23