Astag, the Swiss association of commercial vehicle operators, is pleased that SBB Cargo, the freight division of the Swiss state-owned railway company SBB, is set to create new national and international cargo divisions. The association has questioned the need for an expensive national wagon-load network, however, as it will require subsidies. The body said that the road haulage industry that it represents can offer qualitative advantages in fine distribution - such as flexibility, speed, reach and environment - that the railway cannot provide.

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