Changes in calculating energy prices in rail transport
Berne, 10.02.2017 - After mediation by the Railways Arbitration Commission (RACO), infrastructure managers have dropped the price of power for long-distance freight trains, effective from the 2017 annual timetable. RACO has issued the corresponding decree to approve this effort by the industry to set energy prices in line with the law.
An investigation by RACO into the cost of power for long-distance freight trains led to approval of an agreement between the infrastructure managers (IMs) and railway undertakings (RUs) involved. Following mediation by RACO, the rail industry agreed to review the flat-rate energy tariff for long-distance freight trains and to calculate energy at catenary, in line with the law. Starting with the 2017 annual timetable, the flat-rate energy tariff for long-distance freight trains will be dropped from 22.6 Wh to 16.8 Wh per gross tonne-kilometre. This is a cut of around 25% in the energy price for the freight transport industry.
Instead of a flat rate, each RU can measure the amount of electricity it consumes, using the appropriate instruments, and pay only for the power used, thus ensuring charges for traction current reflect actual use.
RACO’s decree was issued on 1 November 2016, and is legally binding.
Prices are calculated according to guidelines published in the Rail Network Access Ordinance (RNAO) and in the List of Infrastructure Services. The category “Long-distance freight train” includes all freight transport other than tractor-hauled freight trains.
Address for enquiries
Patrizia Danioth Halter, Chair of RACO, Tel. +41 58 463 24 60
Publisher
Rail Transport Commission RailCom
https://www.railcom.admin.ch/en/welcome/
