Switzerland has maintained its position as a leader in transit rail transportation, with almost three quarters of transit cargo passing through the country transported by rail in 2022, according to a report by the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (BAV). Despite remaining at the same level as the previous year, this share of transit cargo passing through Switzerland shows that rail transportation is still a preferred option for carriers.
Gotthard Tunnel Emerges as Preferred Rail Route
The report also shows that significant changes are taking place in the use of main railway tunnels for transporting goods by rail. The two-track Gotthard Tunnel and its connecting sections have emerged as a preferred route for carriers, with rail transportation through the Gotthard Tunnel accounting for more than half of the transit traffic of goods for the first time in history. Traffic under the Gotthard Pass increased by 9% in 2022, while it decreased by 16.7% through the Lotschberg and Simplon tunnels.
The Gotthard Tunnel forms a north-south rail link across the Alps with the 57-kilometer-long Ceneri tunnel, which opened in 2020, as part of the Neue Eisenbahn-Alpentransversale (NEAT).
Swiss Rail Carriers Face Competition from DB Cargo
The BAV report also includes a ranking of transalpine transportation by carrier, with SBB Cargo and BLS Cargo leading in the long term. However, their share decreased last year, while DB Cargo recorded an increase of more than 4%.
Switzerland has long been a leader in transit rail transportation, which is due in part to the increase in road transport tariffs. The continued preference for rail transportation by carriers highlights the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of this mode of transportation, which helps to reduce road congestion and lower carbon emissions.
