Dispatch 20.081 on the Federal Law on the Underground Transportation of Goods
With the adoption of the federal bill, the legal basis for the Cargo Sous Terrain (CST) logistics project has been created. A final difference over expropriation must be settled in the coming winter session. From 2031, the first CST goods are to be transported through the underground tunnel. However, this will hardly relieve freight traffic above ground, as freight transport is continuously increasing. We therefore continue to adhere to our goals of making rail freight transport more efficient for the future. Our commitment to the «automation of rail freight transport» is an important starting signal for this.
Postulate 21.3597 «The Future of Freight Transport»
By accepting the postulate, the Federal Council undertakes to submit a report on the future direction of rail freight transport policy by the end of the first quarter of 2022. In doing so, it must examine aspects of domestic and import/export traffic in depth and answer these questions, among others:
- How should the impact and achievement of objectives of a market-oriented and self-supported offer by SBB Cargo AG be assessed with regard to organisational structure, modal shift effects, transport performance, infrastructures, service points, needs of the loading industry and staffing levels, climate-friendly and resource-saving orientation of the supply chains?
- What are the effects and prospects of the strategic realignment of SBB Cargo AG?
- What are the political scenarios for the further development of rail freight and, if applicable, the need for legislative action?
- What framework conditions for the use of rail infrastructure (track access charges) and the financing of the necessary investments are necessary so that the service can be operated in a way that covers the area and costs as far as possible?
- What investments in new rolling stock, automation and digitalisation are necessary and how can these be financed?
Thinking in terms of opportunities
We at the VAP see a great need for action in the legal framework, the infrastructure and the logistics platforms. The market should focus on evaluating opportunities and chances. We focus on multimodal transport concepts that make use of the strengths of the respective transport modes. Wagonload transport is part of this multimodality. As a classic network transport, it requires new cooperation between all actors in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness. For this purpose, we have founded the IG Wagenladungsverkehr together with other stakeholders.
