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
It is better to give rail operators more time to pay than to reduce track access charges. If they pay lower or no charges, the burden is simply passed on to from the operators to...Read more
There are possibilities to support the railway sector with state aid. EU regulation allows this under the current exceptional circumstances. Railway lobby organisations have been shouting from the roof to get across this message, and...Read more
As a result of the Fourth Railway Package, which aims to create a single European railway area, the European Commission changed regulations in 2012 concerning the railway user charges. An Implementing Regulation (EU 2015/909) formulated...Read more
Track access charges in Germany may increase in the upcoming timetable. A standard freight train will have to pay 3.05 euros per kilometer from 13 December, the start of timetable 2020/2021. This is 2.3 percent...Read more
Many rail freight operators from Central and Eastern Europe will not be able to provide the quick modernisation of their wagon fleet, something that is required when several EU member states implement noise regulations. Member...Read more
RailGood, the branch organisation of the private rail freight carriers and operators in the Netherlands, has positively appreciated the government plans to reduce track access charges. The association considers that this measure will stimulate ‘a...Read more
The European Commission has approved a support scheme amounting to 70 million Euros in order to significantly reduce the track access charges for rail freight in the Netherlands. The scheme, which will run from 2019...Read more
The productivity gains of the Alptransit project with the opening of the Gotthard and Ceneri base tunnels are lower than expected. This conclusion is based on a simulation produced by Swiss combined transport operator Hupac....Read more
The effect of noise differentiated track access charges (NDTAC) in Europe is under review. Since 2015, it is legally possible for infrastructure managers to include a malus or bonus in the track access charge for...Read more
Representatives of the Belgian rail freight industry have asked their government to reduce the costs of train paths and transshipment, in order to boost rail freight traffic. Driving a train through Belgium should be as...Read more
Railway companies should not have to carry the financial burden of train path cancellations or diversions. At the moment, international rail freight carriers too often face additional charges in case of a disruption. This is...Read more
The European Commission has approved the German aid scheme meant to compensate rail freight operators for up to 45 per cent of their track access charges. The scheme will support rail freight operators in Germany...Read more
The German government has selected 29 rail projects to be prioritised and implemented by 2030, in order to boost the rail industry. They include line upgrades, measures to allow for the passage of 740-metre trains...Read more
The Spanish Anti-Trust Authority (CNMC) has requested the Spanish infrastructure manager ADIF to review its proposal to increase the track access charges in 2028. It concluded that it had not consulted the market sufficiently, while...Read more
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in the UK has approved the five-year plan of Network Rail, promising to inject 35 billion British pounds to improve and modernise the railway system. The investments will...Read more
Dutch track access charges will be reduced significantly next year to be in line with the German tariffs, which will be reduced by half this year. This is part of a measure package proposed by...Read more
The track access charges for Swedish railway are under review for the first time in history. The marginal costs charged for freight and passenger services are too low, and the charging structure is not compliant...Read more
The track access charges for rail operators in Germany will not be lowered earlier than next year. That is the decision of the new German minister of Transport, Andreas Scheuer (CSU).
According to Scheuer, the delay...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