Rising fuel prices are the talk of the day. They could — potentially — help rail freight attract more customers as trucking becomes more expensive. The German rail industry is watching with dismay as, in their view, the federal government squanders an opportunity.
In simple terms, Germany is obliged to change its track access charge (TAC) system. It plans to do so before the timetable change in December 2026. Federal government policy stipulates that rail freight needs to come out of a reform more competitive than before.
The rail freight industry is eagerly awaiting a TAC reform: finally, there may be a beneficial development for train transportation. Germany’s transport ministry was planning to organise a “discussion of concrete reform plans”, but postponed it on 15 April.
The resulting uncertainty surrounding TACs is proving to be “particularly counterproductive”, says the German private rail freight association Die Güterbahnen. With fuel prices growing by the day, rail freight would like to offer a clear alternative. The opportunity is there.
You can book a slot, but for how much?
Still, rail freight cannot offer a guaranteed cheaper transport option. While train slot booking has been open for over a month, no one knows how high the TACs will be in 2027. This is the third year in a row that this situation arises in Germany. Even with soaring fuel costs, switching to rail remains a gamble.
“Many companies want to use the more energy-efficient and climate-friendly rail network, but are hesitant because of a lack of planning and price certainty”, writes Die Güterbahnen.
The persistent lack of reform is alarming for the rail freight industry. Infrastructure manager DB InfraGO’s initial proposals, which could have been implemented earlier within the existing legal framework, fail to address the 2016 track access charge system’s structural flaws and could worsen its problematic effects, says Die Güterbahnen. Rail freight critically needs competitive and multi-year fixed track access charges to end the annual “rail toll” debate, the association adds.
Truck toll
“This issue must be resolved once and for all — ideally with a dedicated track access charge law with a five-year validity period, similar to the truck toll”, commented Die Güterbahnen Managing Director Peter Westenberger.
“Railways and freight companies need clarity regarding the timetable and measures to create stability and regain confidence in rail transport. The federal government must establish the framework so that all railway companies can unlock the growth potential of rail.”