The electricity shortage is an urgent political and economic issue. That is why we are keen to ensure that our members are kept up to date. In this third blog episode, we discuss how the railway industry can respond to the Federal Council’s calls for savings by taking voluntary energy-saving measures.
The Confederation has set out the tasks for dealing with a possible energy crisis. Depending on how the energy situation develops, it can take energy-saving measures. Four levels are possible. At present we are on level 1 “voluntary savings appeals”. The Federal Office of Transport performs the central coordination task in transport matters. The Federal Department of the Environment, Transport and Communications (DETEC) has launched the “Energy Saving Alliance” with a broad-based campaign. This alliance calls on organisations throughout Switzerland to support efforts for security of supply in winter and to voluntarily take energy-saving measures. The goal must be to implement measures that are as uniform as possible across the industry in Switzerland. This is best understood by the users of transport services.
VAP joins in
We at the VAP endorse the recommendation to join the “Energy Saving Alliance”. In doing so, we are passing on the wake-up call of the Association of Public Transport (VöV) to our members. At its board meeting on 9 September 2022, VöV published its recommendation paper for the railway industry. In this paper, VöV recommends that the railway industry actively prepare for possible scenarios of an energy shortage and quickly implement the first concrete measures.
To ensure that the energy-saving measures can be implemented in a coordinated manner by all players in the railway industry, the working group “Electricity shortage in public transport” is responsible for their coordination. We are actively involved in this. The working group works closely with the SBB and PostBus AG Switzerland as system leaders. The common goal is to avoid operational restrictions in both passenger and freight transport. Capacities are only to be reduced in the event of a corresponding decline in demand. We are preparing intensively for further escalation levels in various working groups. The public sector should perceive our industry as competent and cooperative.
Because energy is scarce
“Energy is scarce. Let’s not waste it.” Under this campaign title, DETEC has summarised saving tips for private individuals and companies. The railway industry should also save energy voluntarily. This appeal includes implementation measures for numerous buildings used by the railways. They do not restrict the range of rail freight services. Currently, the focus is on lowering the heating temperature and reducing hot water and lighting. In addition, every transport company is required to optimise the energy efficiency of its office and operational buildings. The package will be supplemented by targeted savings measures for employees (train drivers, office staff, workshop staff).
