Swiss Federal Council funds ‘Rolling Road’ until 2026

The ‘Rolling Road’ (Rola) contributes to shifting freight transport through the Alps onto the railways. This protects the climate and the environment and relieves the Swiss road network. At its meeting on September 30, 2022, the Federal Council adopted the message for the continuation of the Rola until the end of 2026.

(Bern) With the Rola, trucks are transported by rail through Switzerland. The drivers travel in a accompanying vehicle. The existing funding will expire at the end of 2023. As part of the 2021 shift report, the Federal Council proposed last November to support the Rola one last time until the end of 2028 with around 20 million Swiss francs annually.

The draft received a predominantly positive response during the consultation. However, based on financial policy considerations, the Federal Council decided to operate the Rola only until the end of 2026. It has submitted the message for the necessary adjustment of the Freight Transport Shift Act and the payment framework to Parliament.

Gradually transition to unaccompanied combined transport

Thanks to the temporary continuation of the Rola, reversals to road transport can be avoided, and the existing Rola-specific rolling stock can be used until the end of its life. Today’s Rola transports are to be gradually transitioned to unaccompanied combined transport – among other things, thanks to the increased use of craneable semi-trailers and new transshipment options.

Photo: © RAlpin