Switzerland’s transalpine freight transport by rail has long maintained a higher proportion compared to other Alpine nations. However, four years post the completion of the NRLA (New Rail Link through the Alps), signs of limitations to the modal shift’s success are emerging. Despite initial growth, the share is decreasing due to challenges such as numerous infrastructure works, diversions, cancellations, high track and energy prices, and railway competitiveness, affecting transit.
The Swiss modal shift policy, embedded in the Federal Constitution and widely supported, has seen rail maintaining a significant market share of 72.7% in H1 2023. This success results from a strategic blend of policies, including the liberalization of rail freight, NRLA infrastructure development, and subsidies for combined transport. However, recent challenges, like operational instability on the right bank of the Rhine, delays in certain routes, and upcoming major construction sites, threaten the success model. BLS Cargo emphasizes the importance of ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance infrastructure efficiency for north-south rail freight, addressing construction site coordination, buffering facilities, and reduction of track access charges.
Recognizing the importance of the modal shift policy, BLS Cargo welcomes the government’s short-term support measures and emphasizes the need for improvements in the entire corridor to achieve modal shift targets and bolster the rail share in freight transport. Urgent action is required in areas like construction site coordination, buffering facilities, and track access charge stabilization.
Image source: https://www.blscargo.ch/en/news/shift-rail-faltering-more-efforts-required