Geography and Regional Planning

Geography and Regional Planning

Independence of the Regulatory Institution and Promotion of Competition in Iranian Rail Transport: An Analysis Based on Competition Law and Comparative Experiences of Selected Countries

Authors
Behrooz Hosseininezhad 1
Mohammad Javad Jafari 2
Mehdi Hatami 3
1 Department of Public Law, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Department of Law, Ker.C., Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran.
3 Associate Professor, Department of Law, University of Kurdistan, Kurdistan, Iran.
10.22034/jgeoq.2025.536255.4300
Abstract
From an institutional and legal perspective, independent regulation plays a strategic role as a cornerstone for achieving desirable governance in infrastructure markets, especially the rail transport industry. Today, given the complexity of the modern economy and the spread of natural monopolies in sectors such as rail transport, relying solely on free competition is not a solution to the hidden challenges arising from dominant market power, structural inefficiency, and conflict of interest. The role of a regulatory institution with structural and operational independence, in light of the principles of competition law and comparative approaches of leading countries, is more prominent than ever. The present study, while linking public law theories and institutional principles with the requirements of competition law, examines the regulatory structure of the Iranian rail transport industry and shows that concentration of power, overlapping duties, lack of transparency, and weak accountability mechanisms are the main obstacles to promoting competition and controlling monopoly. This research, using a descriptive-analytical method and relying on comparative studies, examines the institutional models of selected OECD countries and emphasizes that financial, institutional, and regulatory decision-making independence, along with transparency in relations with the government and the private sector, are essential tools for reducing the risk of monopoly abuses and accelerating capital attraction and market development. The findings of this research show that the establishment of an independent regulatory institution, with a clear separation of the three tasks of policymaking, exploitation, and regulation, and the use of comprehensive and transparent supervisory mechanisms, will strengthen public trust,
Keywords
Regulatory independence
competition law
rail transport
natural monopoly
competitive governance
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