Infrastructure Works and Wagon Rules Harmed Swiss Rail Freight in 2025

Why It Matters

The decline erodes Switzerland’s role as a key transalpine freight hub, raising costs and congestion on European road networks. It also signals broader supply‑chain vulnerabilities as regulatory and infrastructure challenges converge.

Key Takeaways

• 2025 Swiss rail freight tonne‑kilometres fell 12‑18% quarterly
• Transalpine rail share dropped to 68.6%, below 70% threshold
• Ongoing works on Simplon tunnel and German Rhine corridor cut capacity
• New wagon‑wheel safety rules spurred immediate modal shift to road
• 2026 outlook predicts further road shift after rolling‑highway cancellation

Pulse Analysis

Switzerland has long been a linchpin in Europe’s north‑south logistics chain, but preliminary 2025 data reveal a stark reversal. Tonne‑kilometres contracted by up to 18% in Q2, while total tonnage slipped 13.5% compared with the previous year. The transalpine modal share, a critical metric for cross‑Alpine efficiency, fell to 68.6%, marking the first breach of the 70% benchmark in over a decade. These figures underscore a systemic slowdown that threatens the country’s competitive edge in freight corridors linking Germany, Italy and beyond.

A major driver of the slump is the extensive infrastructure work disrupting key routes. The Simplon tunnel, a vital conduit for Alpine traffic, will undergo six‑month annual renovations until 2029, curbing capacity at a time when demand remains robust. Parallel projects on Germany’s Rhine corridor and temporary closures of the Domodossola‑Milan line further choke the flow of goods. Such bottlenecks force operators to reroute shipments, inflating transit times and operational costs across the broader European supply chain.

Compounding the physical constraints, Switzerland’s autumn‑2025 wagon‑wheel safety regulations have unsettled shippers. The rules, still contested in court, prompted many to pre‑emptively shift cargo to trucks, accelerating a reverse modal shift already hinted at by the declining transalpine share. Looking ahead, the cessation of the rolling‑highway service and persistent infrastructure disruptions suggest 2026 will see continued road migration, pressuring policymakers to balance safety standards with the need for reliable, high‑capacity rail corridors.