Over the last 30 or more years, increases in car ownership and use have contributed to a decline in public transport services, particularly in rural areas. Railways have suffered from reduced passenger loading, making some services unprofitable. In response, public authorities have labelled some railway operations as socially necessary, to meet the mobility needs of those without access to cars or bus routes. EC regulations 1191/69 and 1893/91 allow Member States to provide financial support to railway services that cannot be provided on a commercial basis. In the past, this has been done through public service obligations and block grants, but the current policy preference is towards contracts subsidising the provision of specific services. However, the definition of a socially necessary rail service and the evaluation criteria to be used in their selection need clarification.