SBB adopts a plan to increase the volume of goods transported by rail in Switzerland by +60% by 2050

Noting that rail heavy goods transport and large size is constantly decreasing while that of light and low-volume goods continues to increase, which customers are always asking for more flexibility, speed and digitalization and that also increases the demand for transport more ecological, the "Suisse Cargo Logistics" plan is based on four essential elements, first of all to ensure sufficient capacity in terms of tracks to ensure fast and regular connections through optimal use existing and future railway infrastructure. Especially track availability is expected to increase for freight traffic and a reduction in transport times thanks to the phases of expansion of the railway network to 2025 and 2035.

In addition, the plan is based on the implementation of efficient transhipment facilities allowing easy access to the railway, shorten transport times and increase efficiency. In particular, for an optimal combination of rail and road, it is planned to add five in the network transhipment terminal between Geneva and St. Gallen and the development of current systems for the transport of goods by connection rail with five to eight city hubs in central locations in the major Swiss cities, so as to relieve traffic in the city.

The definition of service models is also envisaged efficient that meet the needs of customers, focusing mainly on full train traffic that allows customers to carry out transport of large quantities of goods directly to the consignee, while transport by single wagons, which constitutes the basic offer and ensures the current volumes of transport, will be strengthened and can be developed on a large scale. However, that second mode of transport, whose costs - specified the Swiss company - can not be covered, will be developed on the basis of the political decision on the scope and quality of funding.

Fourth element is the renewal of the fleet, made more efficient thanks to investments and automations, such as testing automatic brakes and digital automatic coupling.

SBB CFF SBB has specified that the structures whose construction is planned as part of "Suisse Cargo Logistics" will be funded through current federal grants and through investments of the company. In particular, by 2040 costs of one billion Swiss francs are expected (1.05 billion euros) for terminals and city hubs, as well as about 500 million francs for fleet automation. The goal is to make operational the first high-speed terminal capacity on the east-west axis by 2030.