Round Table in Switzerland on the Situation in Rail Freight Transport

Numerous construction sites on the European North-South corridor through Switzerland are currently complicating rail freight transport. To manage the situation as effectively as possible, the development of the freight transport timetable should be made more flexible. This was the outcome of a meeting of Swiss stakeholders at the invitation of the Federal Office of Transport (BAV).

(Bern) On the European North-South freight transport corridor, which runs through Switzerland, major construction works are planned at numerous locations this year and in the coming years, including in Switzerland itself. These lead to capacity bottlenecks, diversions, and operational restrictions in rail freight transport. The development of the timetable for freight trains this year has therefore been associated with significant difficulties for the involved Swiss stakeholders.

To analyze the situation and the scope for optimizations, the BAV invited a round table. Participants included not only freight transport companies but also the infrastructure sectors of SBB and BLS, Railcom (Commission for Rail Transport), and the Swiss Allocation Office for Tracks.

During this meeting, it became clear that the development of the timetable should be made more flexible and transparent in the future. Additionally, it should be possible to increasingly direct freight trains from north to south and vice versa on available tracks through Switzerland at short notice. Rail freight transport should remain competitive despite the challenging construction situation; this is also in the interest of Swiss relocation policy.

A second round table is planned for autumn 2024

In the coming months, the involved stakeholders will further deepen the necessary measures. Coordination with foreign entities will also continue to be a priority. The BAV is expected to invite a second round table in autumn 2024.

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