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A railroad employee separates two freight wagons in Dietikon ZH in 2019. With the revision of the Freight Transport Act, the Federal Council wants to strengthen so-called single wagonload transport, which includes such shunting maneuvers. (Archive image)
Keystone
The aid package put together by the Federal Council for the struggling Swiss rail freight sector has cleared a second hurdle: the National Council approved the bill on Thursday. The Council of States already said yes in the fall.
As there are still minor differences between the two councils, the bill will go back to the lower chamber for finalization. It provides for the federal government to provide financial support for single wagonload transport for a limited period of eight years. The aim is to make it self-sufficient in the medium term. The Federal Council is requesting CHF 260 million for the first four years.
It also wants to provide a one-off sum of CHF 180 million for the introduction of digital automatic coupling in rail freight transport. In this way, the Confederation intends to modernize single wagonload transport.
Transhipment and loading contributions and compensation for the uncovered costs of the ordered freight transport services are planned for an indefinite period for a total of CHF 60 million per year.
06.03.2025, 09:12
