When I recently read that NJ Transit is signing the contract to purchase new double-deck EMUs, I was positively surprised. Not only did they manage to purchase an electric multiple unit (EMU) which is much more suitable for commuter and regional transport, but they also went for a double-deck configuration permitting more capacity at the … Continue reading Why the US never manages to purchase modern rolling stock
Last week, the ORR published some intermediate results from their market study in automatic ticket gates (ATG) and ticket vending machines (TVM). It surprised me not much that in the UK the situation from a demand-monopoly switched almost fully to a supply-monopoly where with designed market entry barriers the competition could have been kept at … Continue reading The UK liberal market approach on fair collection seems to have failed
In transportation, there seems to be a saying that we all have to better understand the customer with big data applications. Before this year's Innotrans, many new companies are popping up that want to do a railway ticket purchasing or transport ticket purchasing platform. What they are all seeking is the higher-order-value position - a … Continue reading The higher order value business service providers
After making mostly critical comments on the reports published by consulting companies, I have also to point out truly good articles. One of those is certainly the recent McKinsey article on Smart Cities in South East Asia. What we generally understand nowadays as a smart city is a connected city, where monitoring allows dynamic adapting … Continue reading What makes a smart city smart
Initially, when looking at any topic or field the fundamental question pops up: Build it yourself or buy it from a supplier in a market. This question is the only real strategic question when it comes to procurement. Other aspects, such as procurement strategy, have a much to do with strategy as a bunch of … Continue reading Procurement: Make or Buy
A topic that has intrigued me throughout my life so far is the topic of procurement. Not because I think it is very attractive or sexy, but because it can enable or be a show-stopper to implement great ideas. Two weeks ago, I had, with a variety of customers, colleagues and friends in various settings … Continue reading Procurement: Overview
A thing that is bothering for over twenty years is that transport does not seem to attract significant investments and innovations in its sectors. While the IT industry still follows Moor's law (respectively an abrevation of it), transport does not seem to evolve and attract disrupting new players. The role of private players in transport … Continue reading Why Transportation does not attract relevant Startups
