SBB Focuses on the Motto ‘For More Goods, More Rail’ in the Future

The SBB continues to focus on freight transport and is expanding it. They aim for ‘more goods, more rail’ and are establishing the foundation for efficient, automated, and sustainable logistics in Switzerland with ‘Suisse Cargo Logistics’. By 2050, 60 percent more goods can be transported by rail. New solutions in rail transport are needed.

(Bern) The transport of large and heavy goods is steadily declining, while the transport of smaller, lighter goods continues to increase. The demand from freight transport customers for flexibility, speed, and digitalization is growing. At the same time, the demand and requirements for more ecological, CO₂-neutral, and energy-efficient transport are rising. As a result of these changing market needs, new solutions are required in rail freight transport.

Better Utilization of the Rail System

For the SBB, it is clear that they will continue to focus on freight transport in the future. “With ‘Suisse Cargo Logistics’, we are better utilizing the rail system for logistics in Switzerland,” said Monika Ribar, Chairwoman of the SBB Board of Directors, at a press conference. “We want more goods on more rail.” This creates the foundation for efficient, automated, and sustainable logistics in Switzerland and strengthens supply security.

‘Suisse Cargo Logistics’ builds on the strengths of the rail and addresses new market and customer needs. Vincent Ducrot, CEO of the SBB, further explained: “We want to utilize rail infrastructure and areas, combine rail and road, and complement the existing freight transport offerings. By 2050, the rail can transport 60 percent more goods, thereby relieving the roads.”

Five New Terminals and Five to Eight City Hubs

The key points of ‘Suisse Cargo Logistics’ are:

• Sufficient track capacities for fast and regular connections. The SBB optimally utilizes existing and future rail infrastructure. With the expansion steps in 2025 and 2035, increasingly more and faster tracks will be available for freight transport.
• Efficient transshipment facilities that enable easy access to the rail, shorten transport times, and increase efficiency. To optimally combine rail and road, it is planned to expand the transshipment network with five terminals for combined transport between Geneva and St. Gallen. Additionally, existing freight facilities with rail connections in larger Swiss cities will be further developed into five to eight city hubs at central locations, particularly for construction and disposal logistics. This will relieve cities of traffic. Existing loading points (including free loading) will continue to be integrated.
• Efficient production models tailored to customer needs. The block train service allows freight customers to transport large quantities directly from the shipper to the recipient. Combined transport ensures the interplay between road and rail. The single wagon load traffic forms the basic offering and secures the existing transport volume. However, it cannot be operated cost-effectively. It will be strengthened as network traffic, subject to political decisions on the scope and quality of funding, allowing for broad accessibility.
• A renewed fleet that becomes more efficient through investments and automation, such as automated brake tests and digital, automatic couplings.

Funding Through Existing Support Instruments

The funding for the facilities of ‘Suisse Cargo Logistics’ will come from the existing federal support instruments and investments from the SBB. The SBB estimates costs of one billion francs for terminals and city hubs and around 500 million francs for the automation of the vehicle fleet by 2040. The SBB offers third parties non-discriminatory access to facilities and infrastructures.

The SBB intends to operate rail freight transport in Switzerland in the future not alone, but in partnerships with other logistics players or in the operation of terminals. The minority stake of just under 2 percent in ‘Cargo sous terrain’ will be relinquished by the SBB as it focuses on its core mission and strengths.

In the coming months, the SBB will specify ‘Suisse Cargo Logistics’ in close coordination with industry players, cantons, and municipalities, and will further develop it in line with political decisions. They aim to put the first high-capacity terminal on the east-west axis into operation before 2030.

Transporting 60 Percent More Goods with ‘Suisse Cargo Logistics’

‘Suisse Cargo Logistics’ combines road and rail, utilizes existing infrastructure and areas, and contributes to the shift in traffic and the climate and energy goals of the federal government.

• By 2050, the SBB aims to transport half of the additional freight traffic by rail. Compared to today, this will allow for 60 percent more goods to be transported by rail: net ton-kilometers will increase from 3.8 to 6.1 billion.

• With ‘Suisse Cargo Logistics’, freight transport on the road will only grow by 14 percent by 2050 instead of the projected 22 percent. This corresponds to annual savings of 1 million truck trips, 470 GWh of primary energy, and 26,000 tons of CO2.

Thus, ‘Suisse Cargo Logistics’ addresses customer needs:

• Small to large customers receive investment security in single wagon load traffic with connection tracks and loading facilities.

• Large distributors and logistics companies benefit from sufficient transport capacities on the rail with new express routes.

• Shippers without their own connection tracks receive new climate-friendly shipping options thanks to the combined transport offer within Switzerland.

• Large cities and cantons will be relieved of traffic at city borders thanks to city hubs for supply and disposal by rail.

Photo: © SBB