Switzerland aims to promote rail freight transport and inland navigation

The Swiss Federal Council aims to strengthen rail freight transport and shipping. During a transitional period, single wagon load traffic will also receive financial support. This is intended to enhance the overall freight transport system’s efficiency and ensure supply security in all regions. At its meeting on January 10, 2024, the Federal Council adopted the message regarding the Freight Transport Act for submission to Parliament.

(Bern) The Federal Council wants to strengthen the framework conditions for freight transport by rail and ship so that they can contribute more significantly to supply security across the country. A year ago, it presented two options for public consultation. A majority of parties, associations, and cantons supported the option that provides for further developed framework conditions for rail freight transport and shipping, along with financial support from the federal government. Based on this, the Federal Council has now adopted the message to Parliament.

Promotion of the Digital Automatic Coupler

Thanks to the Digital Automatic Coupler (DAC), rail freight transport is expected to become simpler, faster, and more economical. For the introduction of the DAC, the Federal Council plans to allocate a one-time budget of 180 million Swiss francs. Another goal is the modernization of single wagon load traffic. The single wagon load traffic currently operated by SBB Cargo fulfills important functions in logistics and significantly contributes to ensuring the country’s supply of goods. However, in its current form, it is not economically viable. Therefore, the Federal Council intends to provide financial support for single wagon load traffic for a limited period of eight years, aiming for it to become self-sustaining in the medium term. For the first four years, it requests 260 million Swiss francs. Unrestricted funding is planned for handling and loading contributions and compensation for the uncovered costs of the ordered freight transport services, totaling 60 million per year.

Support for Shipping and Rail

The Federal Council aims to strengthen Rhine shipping through various support measures and to establish the legal framework for promoting fossil-free drives in freight shipping and shunting locomotives. This is intended to enable shipping and rail freight transport to make an even greater contribution to supply security in all regions in the future. The interplay of rail, ship, and road in logistics will be further strengthened, ultimately serving to shift freight transport from road to rail and ship.

Inland shipping should also be promoted more strongly in Switzerland (Here the Birsfelden lock)

Fully Compensate Expenses

The Federal Council intends to fully compensate the additional expenses so that there is no increased burden on the general federal budget. A portion of the revenue from the performance-dependent heavy vehicle charge (LSVA) will be used for this purpose, which would otherwise flow into the railway infrastructure fund (BIF). Funding for the maintenance and expansion of railway infrastructure through the BIF remains assured.

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