ASTAG Highlights the Importance of Road Transport in Switzerland

The Swiss Commercial Vehicle Association ASTAG is proud to engage in constructive politics for an indispensable industry. The Swiss road transport sector is system-relevant, safe, and very clean. Trucks ensure the supply and disposal across the country daily, especially during the Corona crisis. Billions in investments have led to a fleet transition to the latest vehicles with zero pollutant emissions and low CO2 values.

(Bern) The Swiss Commercial Vehicle Association ASTAG has received a pleasing amount of media attention in recent days. The focus was almost exclusively on the organization. However, the activities and successes of ASTAG and its members in favor of supply and disposal as well as mobility in Switzerland received little interest. The high system relevance of road freight transport for the entire economy and population, as well as the effective commitment of transport and travel bus companies for the environment and climate, were particularly overlooked.

The Services of ASTAG and Its Members:

• Road transport is indispensable for the distribution of goods and products. Only thanks to trucks do food, everyday goods, medicines, as well as construction and building materials, wood, and machinery reliably and punctually reach their destination – as the Corona crisis has shown. Each construction site only functions thanks to access and exit via road. Waste disposal (garbage, sewer cleaning) is also ensured by commercial vehicles.
• At the beginning of transport services are the needs of the economy, trade, and population. The task and goal of ASTAG members is to meet the demand as efficiently as possible – for the benefit of the entire country.
• The road transport sector has renewed almost its entire fleet in recent years. More than 96 percent of all ton-kilometers are now covered with the latest commercial vehicles of EURO standards 5 and 6. This has reduced pollutant emissions to nearly zero. Furthermore, the share of heavy traffic in total CO2 emissions in Switzerland is just under 5 percent.
• Commercial vehicles with alternative drives (electric, LNG, hydrogen) are already in use. The more primary energy from renewable resources is used, the lower the CO2 emissions. The Swiss transport industry plays a pioneering role in this regard throughout Europe.
• Moreover, the industry has voluntarily committed itself in a climate resolution of ASTAG from May 2021 to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030 compared to the 1990 level. Effective measures have long been in implementation and are now being intensified.
• Professional drivers, as an indispensable support of the industry, are required to regularly attend further training courses. The legal requirement is 5 training days every 5 years. This includes, in particular, EcoDrive courses for as fuel-efficient driving as possible. On average, this can reduce diesel consumption, i.e., CO2 emissions, by about 10 percent.
• To strengthen rail freight transport, several member companies of ASTAG have financially participated in SBB Cargo International and SBB Cargo. This makes an important contribution to shifting alpine transit traffic from border to border. The rail is also increasingly used in domestic transport whenever possible.

Continued Close Cooperation with Political Authorities

The reporting of recent days lacks any basis. It is true that ASTAG proudly and convincingly advocates for the legitimate concerns and interests of freight and passenger transport with trucks, travel buses, and taxis for the benefit of the entire country. The goal is to enable the most efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly passenger and freight transport possible. Years ago, ASTAG therefore, as probably the first association in Switzerland, unreservedly advocated for co-modality, i.e., for the equal cooperation of all transport modes. In the future, transport or environmental and climate policy should also be designed as much as possible without ideological blinders. “ASTAG is pleased to continue working closely and purposefully with Parliament, the Federal Council, administration, and the constructive forces in all parties,” summarizes ASTAG Director Reto Jaussi.
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