For safe rail freight transport in Switzerland

At the invitation of the Federal Office of Transport (BAV), representatives of Swiss rail freight transport met on June 26, 2025, in Bern for a round table on safety issues. During this meeting, areas of action and possible measures were discussed to further improve the safety of rail freight transport.

(Bern) The safety in rail freight transport is high. The railways, the BAV, and other stakeholders ensure this through various measures. For example, the railways operate a dense network of train control facilities that allow for the immediate stopping and decommissioning of cars with overheated brakes or flapping tarpaulins. The BAV inspects around 7,000 freight cars directly on the rail network each year and coordinates closely with foreign authorities in safety monitoring.

Round Table for Increased Safety

Particularly due to the findings of the Swiss Safety Investigation Authority (SUST) regarding the accident in the Gotthard Base Tunnel in August 2023 and the highly cross-border nature of rail freight transport, certain challenges in the safety area arise: The Federal Council aims to address these and simultaneously identify areas of action in its report on the Postulate 25.3177 “Increasing Safety in Rail Freight Transport.” In preparation for the report, the BAV conducted a round table with industry stakeholders on June 26, 2025.

Important International Cooperation

There is consensus in the industry that the safety of rail freight transport can only be sustainably ensured in the long term through international cooperation. Following the accident in the Gotthard Base Tunnel, the SUST recommended to the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) to establish stricter requirements for the maintenance and upkeep of freight cars with composite brake shoes (particularly LL shoes) at the European level. Should the international measures be insufficient or not implemented within a reasonable timeframe, Switzerland could take further actions. As a last resort, a ban on the operation of freight cars with LL shoes in Switzerland could be considered.

Short-term Measures

With regard to short-term measures to increase safety in rail freight transport, representatives of railway companies and car owners outlined possible areas of action during the round table—such as additional inspections or stricter technical regulations. In mid-August, further meetings will define short-term, risk-minimizing measures as part of a self-commitment.

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