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Mr. Ghijsen is assistant professor, Faculty of Management Sciences, Open Universiteit Nederland, Heerlen, The Netherlands; e-mail paul.ghijsen@ou.nl. Mr. Semeijn is professor of supply chain management, Open Universiteit Nederland. Mr. van der Linden is general manager CBRail S.a.r.l., Luxembourg, a joint venture of Babcock & Brown Limited and the Bank of Scotland Corporate Europe. Table 1. Stakeholder Perspectives on Improving European Rail Freight Services Stakeholders How can rail How can road

freight elements carriers contribute

contribute to to improved rail

improved rail services?

services? Traction Increased Focus on Providers efficiency of the uninterrupted, 25 returned internal international questionnaires organization, deliveries door-to- and 5 interviews expansion of door and extension

capital investment, of the service

partnership portfolio.

establishment, and

increased

equipment

productivity. Rail-asset-based Cost control, long- Focus on LSPs term planning, uninterrupted 26 returned divesting weak services on questionnaires operations. and lucrative routes, and 5 interviews increased cooperation with

equipment road and rail, and

productivity. increased

flexibility. Truck-asset- Rail access from Both road and rail based LSPs and to warehouses, face the issue of 25 returned and solve issues not using the assets questionnaires regarding long- to full capacity. and 8 interviews distance, cross- Cooperation

border freight instead of

flows. competition. Non-asset-based Further Comparing freight LSPs development of key performance 8 returned routes and disposal indicators may questionnaires of sufficient increase the use of and 2 interviews assets. rail. Shippers / Improve Improve terminal Customers availability of management and 5 interviews resources and road-rail change

capacity planning. over. Government Strong association Forceful road officials with incumbents. lobbying is not 3 interviews Allow licensed balanced by rail

multi-lingual lobbying. Increase

drivers who awareness of rail

operate trains options in

across borders. combination with