Franz Steiger is the new Chairman of the Board of SBB Cargo

Franz Steiger, CFO of SBB and a member of the Board of Directors of SBB Cargo AG since last year, has taken over the chairmanship of the Board of SBB Cargo as of April 27, 2022. He succeeds Eric Grob, who remains a member of the Board of SBB Cargo. The change in the chairmanship comes against the backdrop of political decisions in domestic freight transport.

(Bern/Olten) Franz Steiger has been the CFO of SBB since 2021 and a member of the Board of SBB Cargo AG. The 50-year-old now takes over the chairmanship of the Board at SBB Cargo, succeeding Eric Grob. Grob had held the chairmanship since 2020 and successfully led the company through a challenging period. Eric Grob remains a member of the Board of SBB Cargo.

Reform for Wagon Load Traffic

The change in the chairmanship occurs against the backdrop of political decisions in domestic freight transport. SBB Cargo finds itself in a tension between economic viability and political expectations for a shift in domestic transport: Wagon load traffic is loss-making and therefore does not meet the requirements for economic viability; however, it contributes to traffic shifting and, through its energy efficiency, to climate goals. At the end of March, the Federal Council approved reform proposals for wagon load traffic; the UVEK will prepare a consultation draft with two directions by autumn 2022.

Political Decisions Require Close Coordination

These political decisions require as direct and close coordination as possible between SBB Cargo and its parent company SBB, as well as its owners. This will be ensured by the new Chairman of the Board, Franz Steiger, who is also a member of the SBB Executive Board. The Board of SBB Cargo AG, in which Swiss Combi AG holds a 35 percent stake, has unanimously elected the new chairman. SBB aims to provide a powerful and automated service in domestic, import, and export transport with SBB Cargo and to strengthen rail freight transport for the Swiss economy.

Photo: © SBB