RAILWAY COSTS AND PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH -- THE CASE OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, 1973-1983.

This paper measures productivity growth in Irish railways for the period 1973-83, using a translog cost approach. The results show that there has been substantial growth in productivity, because of reductions in fleet size and labour and increases in passenger and freight carryings. Changes in freight handling and the development of a "no-shunt" railway were also shown to be significant. (A)