Kombiverkehr has said that the prospects of the German rail freight sector can “really improve” following the publication of a master plan from the German government.
Among the changes, the government is committed to substantially discounting track access charges, upgrading key sections of track and supporting the digitisation process to stimulate the sector.
Welcoming the news, Kombiverkehr – an intermodal operator based in Frankfurt – said it has worked for many months to campaign for a fair and competitive rail environment for rail haulage which has led to a “first significant milestone”.
A statement on its website reads: “Together with industry representatives, [Kombiverkehr] has managed to persuade much of the political community – not least the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure – that something actually needs to be done for the rail freight transport sector, and especially combined transport, if environmental targets and objectives, in particular as regards cutting CO2 emissions, are to be met.
“The policy document prepared in conjunction with the ministry and the industry organisations can really improve the prospects of the rail freight transport sector in the future once again.”
Kombiverkehr has urged the German government to push ahead to secure the same commitment at a European level due to inconsistent regulatory frameworks.
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