Deregulation Comes to European Rail Lines

I think they are really talking about "Privatization", not "Degregulation". Germany has been doing that for years, now. Bayrische Oberland Bahn and ALX in Bavaria, MittelRheinBahn (trans regio) between Koblenz and Mainz (maybe farther), many more.

As long as Ryanair doesn't get into the high-speed rail business I'll be happy:) Supposedly one of the first services to be launched will be direct trains from St Pancras London to Amsterdam. But from what I've read a lot of the same players involved with Thalys, will also be a part of that new service. So it doesn't seem like much competition...more like all in the family. Don't know how they would squeeze an immigration hall into Centraal Station.

Now Frank....you've got to read these stories more carefully! What it REALLY means is more deals for passengers named Greg, since the story actually discusses European train "degregulation." ;)
Seriously, though, it'll be interesting to see what happens now that much of the high-speed rail infrastructure is in place...hopefully, the national rail companies won't charge so much for it that private firms will be kept out.