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3. December 2020The Swiss Federal Office of Transport (BAV) and SBB Cargo have established the framework for compensating the losses incurred by the rail logistics company due to the coronavirus. So far, this year, a substantial 35 million Swiss francs have accumulated. Whether the BAV covers the entire loss will be decided after the submission of documents.
(Bern) Rail freight transport is suffering from the Corona crisis. To mitigate the associated losses, Parliament has allocated support funds. The Federal Office of Transport (BAV) and SBB Cargo have now developed a declaration of intent that regulates the conditions under which SBB Cargo can access funds from the federal aid package: SBB Cargo waives general price increases and will continue the existing services in 2021.
Parliament Supports Public Transport
With the law passed by Parliament in the autumn session to support public transport during the Corona crisis, the federal government can, among other things, provide contributions to railway companies in rail freight transport. The BAV and SBB Cargo have now agreed on the specific principles that govern the allocation of a financial contribution to SBB Cargo. They have signed a declaration of intent.
According to the declaration of intent, costs due to the decline in transport volume as well as pandemic-related additional costs, such as for protective equipment and disinfectants, or for the replanning of services, are eligible. As of today, SBB Cargo reports a COVID-related financial gap of up to 35 million francs. In the next step, SBB Cargo will submit a definitive application. The BAV will review this and decide whether all uncovered costs will be fully recognized. It will then determine the amount of financial support. Additionally, the definitive release of funds is still required in the winter session by the Federal Councils. The deadline for submitting any further applications for affected companies in rail freight transport runs until spring 2021.
No Service and Price Adjustments
The Federal Council and Parliament expect that the railway companies will continue the existing services in 2021 and waive general price increases. Therefore, SBB Cargo will offer the service points in the system wagonload transport unchanged in 2021. Exceptions are service adjustments made in agreement with customers. Customer solutions outside the system wagonload transport are customer-specific and are not classified as a system-relevant, regular offering by SBB Cargo. Accordingly, SBB Cargo can adjust customer solutions according to the processes defined with customers, political representatives, and associations.
Furthermore, SBB Cargo will waive general price adjustments in 2021. This provides SBB Cargo’s customers with planning security in the currently economically challenging situation.
Photo: © SBB
