NRLA effect smaller than expected
The Swiss intermodal logistics provider Hupac’s productivity did not increase as much on account of operations through the Gotthard base tunnel as it had expected. It has thus called for federal subsidies to be continued through to 2030.
The intermodal network operator Hupac completed a satisfactory financial 2018. Its sales increased by 19.4% compared to the previous year, to just under CHF 580 million, whilst its volumes stood at 926,000 road consignments transported by rail – a 21.4% plus year-on-year. Though the acquisition of the maritime operator ERS Railways and the absence of a Rastatt-like disruption that occurred in the prior year were amongst the main factors for the growth, Hupac was nevertheless satisfied with its performance.
Trans-Alpine traffic through Switzerland also developed rather positively. Even with the Rastatt effect taken out, volumes grew by 8%. The opening of the Gotthard base tunnel in 2016 was a precondition for trans-Alpine success. Productivity gains in this field were lower than expected, however.
Seeking continued support
Though longer trains and thus more units per train can be transported from 2021 onwards, that will not suffice, the company said; nor will the elimination of double traction on the mountain routes, which reduces costs. Hupac currently receives state support to run its intermodal operations, but parliament has voted to end them from 2024 onwards. Hupac has calculated that it will only be able to compensate for approximately half of today’s operating subsidies of around CHF 110 million; thus board president Hans-Jörg Bertschi has called for the subsidies to be extended.
He suggested that “operating subsidies should continue to be provided by the state at a lower level until around 2030, to bridge existing deficits and to continue the positive dynamics of the intermodal shift.” He assumes that intermodal operations will only be able to finance themselves once the Rhine-Alpine corridor has been fully upgraded.
