Argentina's transport privatization and re-regulation : ups and downs of a daring decade-long experience

mmpPDFResearch PaperPublic private partnershipsPrivatizationDeregulationRailroadsHighwaysPortsArgentinaWorld BankEstache, Antoniode Rus, GinisCarbajo, Josi C.NTL-PLANNING AND POLICY-PLANNING AND POLICYNTL-ECONOMICS AND FINANCE-Alternative FinanceUS Transportation CollectionWhen Argentina initiated the reforms of its transport sector in 1989, it was constructing its own path-breaking way. It was the first in Latin America to privatize its inter-city railroad, the first to organize intra-port competition explicitly, the first to consider granting a private concession to operate its subway, the second (after Japan) to privatize its urban commuters railways and one of the first in the developing world to concession its road to private operators. This article provides an overview of this experience in ports, rail and roads including significant developments in 1998 which have resulted in the renegotiation of most of the contracts signed since 1990 in railways and roads. The paper is organized as follows. Each sector is described before and after deregulation, the privatization situation and the outcomes of the changes. The coverage starts with ports, continues with rail and ends with roads. The last section discusses some of the more complex cross-sectoral issues, including the difficulty. Argentina is facing in taking on its new role as a regulator. References, tables, 24 p