Railfreight loses ground to toad transport
In 2024 Swiss railfreight transport declined by 2.6%, reaching its lowest level in fifteen years, while road freight increased by 1.4%. Consequently, rail's share of total freight transport dropped to 37%, compared to 63% for roads. Overall transport performance remained steady at 26.1 billion t-km; however, the rail sector's decrease significantly impacted its market share. Rail continues to dominate alpine transport, with 70% of tonnage, yet faced challenges such as construction on key routes and adverse weather, which negatively affected reliability and export volumes.
Heavy goods vehicles constituted a major portion of road transport, with heavy trucks making up 3% of the total 66.7 bn vehicle km driven in Switzerland. Road and rail transport, while competitive, are inherently complementary. Rail is preferred for long distances, while road networks are vital for regional distribution. The shifting dynamics highlight the need for ongoing analysis and potential strategic adaptations in transport policy.