ASTAG Calls for Immediate Relief for the Swiss Transport Industry

The road transport industry is increasingly suffering under the burden of rising fuel prices. The Swiss Commercial Vehicle Association ASTAG therefore welcomes the establishment of a task force by the Federal Council. However, rapid countermeasures are necessary. The supply and disposal across Switzerland critically depends on the ability to maintain the system-relevant operations of transport companies at manageable costs.

(Bern) The price explosion in the energy sector, which began with the outbreak of the Ukraine war, is having an increasingly strong impact. Currently, the discussion primarily revolves around fuel tourism, heating oil purchases, individual traffic, and electricity demand in winter. However, the increasing cost burden in road freight transport is equally relevant. Hardly any other industry feels the effects of rising diesel prices as strongly and immediately as the transport sector. With fuel costs accounting for up to 25 percent of operational cost structures, they are becoming increasingly noticeable – every delivery, every pickup for the economy, businesses, and the population is massively more expensive than just a few weeks ago. Naturally, the transport industry is forced to pass on at least part of the additional costs to customers or ultimately to consumers. Nevertheless, especially smaller and medium-sized enterprises are facing liquidity problems.

Fiscal Relief for System-Relevant Road Transport Industry

Against this backdrop, the Swiss Commercial Vehicle Association ASTAG holds the clear position that, similar to abroad, political measures are needed. Specifically, as proposed in writing to the Federal Department of Finance in mid-March and shortly thereafter demanded in parliamentary motions by the FDP, SVP, and Mitte, (temporary) fiscal relief must be implemented. The establishment of a task force by the Federal Council is therefore commendable. However, immediate decisions are even better and urgently required. Much patience and long waiting times do not help those transport companies that can hardly afford to procure expensive but absolutely essential fuel any longer. “For the time being, no relaxation is in sight,” says ASTAG Central President Thierry Burkart: “Politics must act now, or we will be too late!”

Fleet Closures Would Impact the Entire Swiss Economy

Ultimately, the goal and task are to ensure that supply and disposal across Switzerland continue without disruptions despite uncertain (energy) perspectives. Just as the road transport industry proved to be system-relevant during the Corona crisis, the reliable, timely, and flexible delivery of goods and daily necessities in fine distribution is only possible now with commercial vehicles. Fleet closures, which unfortunately must be anticipated with ongoing diesel price burdens, would not only affect the industry but the entire economy and population. “We must not risk a collapse of freight transport and mobility – as they are the foundation of our supply,” emphasizes Thierry Burkart.

Photo: © Loginfo24/Adobe Stock