Highest Rail Share in Alpine Freight Transport in 30 Years

The share of rail in the total freight transport through the Swiss Alps reached 74.9 percent last year, the highest value in 30 years. This is attributed to the completion of the NEAT with the Ceneri Base Tunnel, the commissioning of the four-meter corridor on the Gotthard axis, as well as further measures in favor of the shift policy. Truck trips through the Alps have slightly decreased compared to the previous year.

(Bern) Last year, around 860,000 trucks crossed the Alps. This is about 3,000 fewer than in 2020 (-0.23 percent). When the performance-related heavy vehicle fee was introduced in 2001, there were 1.4 million heavy goods vehicles. Since then, the decline has been around 40 percent. These are the new figures from the BAV on alpine freight transport. However, the legal shift target of 650,000 trips is still not being met despite the progress.

In 2021, a total of 28.4 million tons were transported by rail. The rail sector has recovered from the slump in the previous year, which was due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting decrease in demand. The transport on the Gotthard axis has increased particularly strongly (+17.3 percent). This is thanks to the Ceneri Base Tunnel and the commissioning of the 4-meter corridor. Rail transport has also increased on the Lötschberg-Simplon axis (+7.2 percent), although less freight could be transported there due to construction work.

Four Meter Corner Height Also on the Gotthard Route

In unaccompanied combined transport, containers with a corner height of four meters could only operate on the Lötschberg-Simplon axis until recently. This is now also possible on the Gotthard axis. Thanks to the continuous flat railway, longer and heavier trains can now run there. Demand has correspondingly increased significantly in the first year of operation.

The market share of rail in total alpine freight transport grew to 74.9 percent last year. This is the highest value in 30 years.

Track Prices Decreased – Special Discount for Long Freight Trains

Contributing to this, in addition to infrastructure expansions, are the supplementary measures prepared by the UVEK, which Parliament approved in 2020. This includes reducing track prices for trains and granting a special discount for long freight trains. This reduces rail transport costs and allows for more capacity. Furthermore, it was decided to continue the operating contributions for the carriers of combined transport until 2030.

Photo: © Hupac