This compilation of original essays by an international cast of top scholars addresses some of the major issues now facing postal and delivery services throughout the world. The European Commission and member states wrestle with the problem of how to implement the scheduled liberalization of...

The purpose of this study is to analyze the cost structure of Swiss Post’s postal outlets. In particular, the idea is to assess economies of scale and scope in post offices and franchised postal agencies. Information on their optimal size and production structure is of importance from the...

The paper analyzes the impact of different regulatory models on competition and welfare in the Swiss letter market. We conclude that the US system worksharing yields the best results.

Traditionally, pricing of postal services was fully sender based. We analyze a potential alternative consisting of a two-part tariff where the sender is charged reduced postage while the recipient is charged a yearly fixed fee.

The paper first analyzes if there is a need to develop universal postal services in developing countries. We conclude that postal services serve vital functions in economies now and for the foreseeable future. We then discuss regulatory remedies that will foster the evolution of universal postal...

Based on a cross-section data set of 2004 reflecting Swiss Post’s delivery cost we estimate its cost function and derive measures of economies of scale, density and scope.

Based on historical data from 1980 to 2004 the paper analyzes the main drivers of mail demand and the impact of e-substitution by using time-series techniques. We find strong evidence for e-substitution. In the second part of the paper we provide forecasts for future mail volumes.

Rail passenger transport services with integrated regular interval timetables (IRIT), offer passengers a regular interval timetable for services on the railway network. IRIT have the potential to increase the quality and attractiveness of railway passenger services in comparison to other...

Rail passenger transport services with integrated regular interval timetables (IRIT) offer passengers a regular interval timetable for services on the railway network. IRIT have the potential to increase the quality and attractiveness of railway passenger services in comparison to other...

This paper reports on the implementation of stated preference discrete choice experiments (SPDCEs) to measure business and residential consumers’ preferences for specific aspects of postal services in three European member states: Italy, Poland and Sweden.