TRACK ACCESS COSTS ARE SET TO INCREASE IN GERMANY
DB InfraGo, which took over Germany’s rail network management (merging DB Netz AG and DB Station&Service AG) effective January 2024, has announced to plan to increase track access charges by 13.4% starting December 2024. This decision follows an announcement of the German federal government to reduce subsidies for track access chargers by half.
The move has been criticised by the rail freight
industry in Germany noting the deteriorating conditions for rail freight
compared to road transport, high costs
and poor quality as major challenges.
However, the decision requires approval from the German Federal Network Agency, which plans a hearing on the topic this week.
Due to federal budget cuts in 2024, the German rail freight sector will experience significant funding losses. These losses will affect support for single wagonload (SWL) traffic, track access charges subsidies, and technological development funds. Specifically, subsidies for track access charges expenses will be reduced by 170.7 million euros, 49 per cent less than last year.
Source: RailFreight.com