The rough period experienced by Swiss state-owned rail freight operator SBB Cargo was confirmed by the company’s figures for the first half of 2024. In the meantime, the National Committee for Transport and Telecommunication (CTT-N) asked for higher road tolls for heavy vehicles from 1 July 2027 to incentivise the use of rail freight services.
The CTT-N’s proposal underlines how taxes on road freight transport are one of the best means to boost the modal shift to rail. One of the main reasons why customers often prefer trucks to trains is price, and higher road tolls would help level the playing field. Now the motion needs to go through the Swiss Federal Council and, if approved, will be discussed in Parliament.
SBB Cargo increases losses
The rail freight landscape in Switzerland (and the rest of Europe) is not going through its golden era. The latest figures provided by SBB Cargo say no different. During the first six months of 2025, the company lost four million francs (4,3 million euros) more than the same period last year, according to mother company SBB. This would put this half year’s losses for SBB Cargo at over 46,5 million francs (49,7 million euros), almost a 10% drop.
On a (not so) more positive note, the increase in losses has been contained this first six months. Between the first halves of 2023 and 2024, SBB Cargo more than doubled its losses, from 19 to 42,6 million francs (20,3 to 45,6 million euros). In order to save money and try to turn some profit, the company decided to get rid of eight combined transport terminals, a choice which will cost 65 people their jobs, especially in the Ticino area.
Passenger services thrive
If rail freight is struggling, the situation is completely different for the passengers. An increasing number of people are choosing the train. And, as the traditional Swiss punctuality dictates, an increasing number of trains are travelling on time. Both categories scored highest-ever figures in the first half of 2025, with an outstanding 94.5% of trains arriving on schedule.