5. Conclusion

Economics is an important key to the operation and future of rail transport. The viability of its economic model will depend on the development of its quality, i.e. meeting the reasonable expectations of its users, both passengers and shippers.

It will also require increased productivity to achieve this quality at a reasonable cost. The quality produced in France, particularly punctuality, also seems to be largely perfectible compared with comparable foreign countries.

Meanwhile, competing modes, often more flexible, are developing and gaining in productivity.

As well as satisfying users, this is also a major collective challenge for public policy, particularly in view of the environmental crisis, which could make mass transit modes, including rail, indispensable beyond just the densest segments.