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The Swiss Federal Office of Transport (BAV) has today issued regulations to enhance safety in freight transport in response to the accident in the Gotthard Base Tunnel in 2023. SBB welcomes the guidelines. This will sustainably reduce the risk of accidents in freight transport, allowing SBB to continue transporting all freight cars.
(Bern) The accident in the Gotthard Base Tunnel on August 10, 2023, was a significant event for Switzerland and SBB. Rail traffic was severely restricted for an extended period, and the damages amounted to 150 million Swiss francs. The final report from the Swiss Safety Investigation Authority (SUST) revealed that an undetected crack led to the breakage of a wheel disc. Such a break could occur again. Various near-accidents in Europe have highlighted the risk factors for cracks and potential breakages: insufficient wheel diameters, overheating of wheels due to composite brake shoes, and excessively long intervals between inspections.
Freight transport by rail is fundamentally one of the safest transport systems. However, the accident revealed a systematic problem. Systematic issues can only be addressed through appropriate regulations from the responsible authorities in Switzerland and Europe. In recent months, SBB has engaged in dialogue with the freight transport industry and collaborated with the involved partners at the Federal Office of Transport (BAV).
BAV Guidelines Reduce Risk of Further Accidents
SBB welcomes the BAV guidelines (see BAV press release). They reduce the risk of another accident. The guidelines must be adhered to not only by railway transport companies (EVU) but also by the maintenance companies of the freight cars.
Safety is the top priority for SBB. Therefore, SBB announced in early June 2025 that it would withdraw from the transport of freight cars with LL brake shoes (press release “SUST Report: SBB Calls for Action” | SBB News).
The guidelines now issued by the BAV are being implemented by SBB. They allow SBB to continue transporting all freight cars, regardless of the brake shoes installed. The measures sustainably enhance safety in freight transport. Nevertheless, SBB is also focusing on increased inspections.
These newly issued BAV guidelines apply to all EVU and their transported freight cars operating on the Swiss rail network. Outside the country’s borders, the measures have little effect. Therefore, SBB encourages European authorities to adopt the Swiss measures.
Furthermore, SBB sees a medium- to long-term need to adjust liability law in rail freight transport, particularly in cases of damage such as wheel breakages. An appropriate liability participation from car owners would further enhance safety in the rail system: they would have an interest in investing more than just the minimum in monitoring, maintenance, and modernization of the cars.
Photo: © Federal Office of Transport
