As part of the Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA) “Expanding Railways Solutions Across LAC”, the LAC Transport Unit is seeking consulting services to develop a regional Strategy for rail development in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The activity is to support the two first components - both financed by a GFDT Trust Fund for a global amount of 150,000USD - of the ASA: 

• 1.1 Regional assessment of passenger rail transport 

• 1.2 Regional railways freight policy note 

The assessment is to identify main challenges and opportunities across LAC, in both the freight industry and the passenger railway transport markets. The first task is to assess the freight rail sector to understand the macroeconomics of the freight industry, applied to existing network features in LAC and its market singularities. The assessment focuses on the trade particularities of LAC countries through a supply analysis for the freight industry to better identify market needs and geographic concentrations. This evaluation will also identify potential railway routes and develop a regional strategy for freight railways, focused on development outcomes. The second Task is to identify opportunities in the passenger rail sector for both long-line routes (intercity and regional trains) and urban passenger (metro, tramways.), based on urban agglomeration, mobility needs and heavily demanded regional routes reliant on roads and air traffic that would benefit from railway links.

To support our activity, we are considering hiring a highly qualified consultancy, especially regarding the freight railway sector as well as the passenger industry. The works should last 8-10 months considering revisions.