Federal Council proposes extending Alpine rail freight subsidies to 2035

Operating subsidies of CHF 486 million in total are planned for 2027–2035 (CHF 55 to 59 million a year in 2027–2030, about CHF 50 million a year afterwards), financed from the mineral oil tax. Background: the rail share of Alpine-crossing freight fell to 68.6 per cent in 2025, the fourth decline in a row; the consultation ran until 11 August 2026.

On 12 June 2026 the Federal Council sent out for consultation an extension of operating contributions for Alpine-crossing unaccompanied combined transport from 2030 to 2035; it also wants to forgo the phased subsidy reduction provided for by law until 2029, with a gradual decline from 2030. In total CHF 486 million is planned for 2027 to 2035 (CHF 55 to 59 million a year in 2027–2030, about CHF 50 million a year afterwards), paid from the mineral oil tax. The trigger is the falling rail share of Alpine-crossing freight, which stood at 68.6 per cent in 2025; the Federal Council is thereby implementing two identical motions and does not expect a trend reversal before the end of the decade. (LOK Report, 12 Jun 2026)