Hungary is considering reducing its track access charges by 40 per cent, following the example of several EU countries. This measure could support rail freight during the ongoing pandemic, argues HUNGRAIL, the strategic partner of...Read more
Many countries in Europe have enabled access to rail at a reduced or even nullified rate in order to support railways during the pandemic. This is great news for the railway undertakings, but not all...Read more
Much of the European rail network is currently free of charge. This is thanks to the regulation that allows for a waiver, or reduction of track access charges during the pandemic. However, this possibility is...Read more
European policy makers should find a way of charging for infrastructure that incentivises the greenest possible choice of modality. This requires a multimodal approach, rather than an isolated policy for a single transport sector, say...Read more
Germany has proposed to continue the reduction of track access charges until the end of 2021. Interestingly, the charges will almost be nullified; from the current 50 per cent reduction it wants to move to...Read more
A level playing field for road and rail transport can only be achieved when charging for access to road or rail happens on an equal basis. However, as many have argued, we are still far...Read more
There are different ways in which countries determine segments on the rail market for infrastructure charging. In a webinar on 17 March, an online seminar on railway transportation market segmentation was held by LatRailNet, the...Read more
The Polish infrastructure manager PKP PLK has withdrawn its request to increase track access charges of the network in 2022. As a result, the fees for accessing the railway network in the country remain at...Read more
The Belgian government has announced to financially support the rail freight industry. Until 30 June, a reduced tariff applies for freight trains, and cancellation and reservation costs are waived. The support scheme applies from 1...Read more
Rail freight operators fear that from 2023 onwards, the track access charges in the Netherlands will be higher than those in neighboring countries. In particular, the user charges for sidings and shunting tracks may skyrocket....Read more
The Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE) has published a report outlining a series of recommendations to guide the European Commission, infrastructure managers and regulators for the setting of track access charges on 2 May....Read more
On European rail freight corridors, one single price should apply. Currently, the method for calculating track access charges differs greatly among countries, which means procedures and rules are complicated. It would be more logical if...Read more
The Dutch government pleads for a mandatory bonus scheme on EU level incentivising the retrofitting of wagons. Retrofitting is the most cost-effective way to reduce noise pollution, but this should not be limited to a...Read more
Do the levels of track access charges in Europe really reflect the relevant costs? That is a question the Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE) has tried to answer. A group of researchers has analysed...Read more
When comparing track access charges for international freight trains in different countries, we have somewhat of a harmonised level in Europe, concluded associate professor of Graz University of Technology Stefan Marschnig at the Track Access...Read more
In the rail freight sector, operators pay for every train kilometre. In principle, this makes all railways tollgates, while only 20 per cent of European highways and main roads require toll. A new balance must...Read more
A Dutch masterplan with measures to enhance the position of the rail freight industry is in the making, following the example of Germany, which is to implement measures this year. The ministry of Infrastructure and Water...Read more
