{"id":289115,"date":"2025-09-22T19:16:27","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T09:16:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=66098"},"modified":"2025-09-22T19:16:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T09:16:27","slug":"germany-presents-long-awaited-rail-strategy-swl-plans-and-big-changes-for-db-infrago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=289115","title":{"rendered":"Germany presents long-awaited rail strategy: SWL plans and big changes for DB InfraGO"},"content":{"rendered":"

Patrick Schnieder, Germany\u2019s minister of transport, has presented Berlin\u2019s new and long-awaited rail strategy. Alongside personnel changes at the very top, Germany has proposed a number of changes that are important for rail freight, including in the single wagonload (SWL) area and organisational changes for infrastructure manager DB InfraGO.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>The aim is to make the railways \u201cpunctual, clean and safe again\u201d. To make that happen, Germany\u2019s new rail strategy is focused around three pillars, the ministry writes. Those pillars include reforms at Deutsche Bahn, measures at the German federal level and an \u201cactivation of the entire sector\u201d.<\/p>\n

As part of the plan, Deutsche Bahn should get a clear financing structure and an effective organisational structure. Moreover, federal measures include targeted management through \u201can appropriate governance concept\u201d, the provision of federal funds and promoting digitalisation.<\/p>\n

The transport ministry also says that it wants a \u201cReliable Rail\u201d task force, a strengthened sector advisory board, fair access conditions to the rail network, and joint digitalisation initiatives.<\/p>\n

\"DB
A DB Cargo train. Image: Deutsche Bahn AG \u00a9 Claus Weber<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What does it mean for rail freight?<\/h2>\n

For rail freight, there are some important plans in the new strategy. For one, Germany\u2019s national freight operator DB Cargo will have to return to profitability by 2026, as was already the case. \u201cThe restructuring measures at DB Cargo AG must be continued and, if necessary, intensified\u201d, the strategy says.<\/p>\n

Also in the SWL segment, where DB Cargo dominates with around a 90% market share, the transport ministry has ideas (or rather, an idea). It \u201cwill examine the transformation of single-wagon transport combined with a hub system\u201d, it says, without elaborating further.<\/p>\n

Germany\u2019s notorious track access charges (TAC) system will also undergo changes. By 1 January 2027, there should be a reform in place, but it remains unclear how that will look in practice. The transport ministry explains, however, that it has already started the first important legislative reform steps to reduce TACs charged by DB InfraGO. \u201cThese include, among other things, the increased use of construction cost subsidies, a reduction in the equity interest rate, and increased maintenance subsidies.\u201d<\/p>\n