Are freight transport prices increasing in Europe?

Key messages

(22 Jul 2019)

• The price of purchasing cars has decreased significantly since 1996, relative to average consumer prices. In contrast, the prices of passenger services and the operation of personal transport equipment have generally increased.
• The volatility of the transport market is apparent from figures for 2009, when overall transport prices fell at a faster rate than average consumer prices. This was primarily because of a significant drop in the average crude oil price between 2008 and 2009, and subsequent reductions in fuel prices.
• Rail transport prices are less closely tied to fuel prices, as most services operate under ‘public service obligations’ and an increasing proportion of passenger rail transport is electric.
• Overall, transport prices appear to have peaked in 2012, largely driven by a peak in the price of operating personal transport equipment.

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