The trucks will no longer be able to cross the Swiss Alps via the rail at the end of the year. The farmers of the ferrout service, faced with “major economic challenges”, put the key under the door earlier than expected. “In agreement with the Confederation, the exploitation of the Rola (rolling highway) will cease at the end of 2025 instead of 2028”, wrote the operators of the service, Ralpin, Monday in a press release.
Whole trucks will therefore no longer be able to be loaded on the trains from 2026. Containers transport, a popular formula, is still possible. The ferrusting “is no longer profitable for Ralpin despite the financial aid of the Confederation and an always satisfactory request”, indicates the cooperative company of BLS, SBB and Hupac.
The ever more numerous disturbances of the rail infrastructure in Germany partly explain the difficulties of the service which transports trucks between Friborg-en-Brisgau (D) and Novare (i).
Sixteen affected employees
Ralpin says they are looking for solutions for the 16 employees affected. Some have already found work options, specifies Ludwig Näf, Managing Director of the company, in Keystone-ATS. “Individual solutions with some allowances” are being examined for the rest of the team. However, no social plan is planned.
The Transport Staff Union (SEV) claims to be concerned. It goes without saying that BLS will have to take responsibility as an employer, he wrote in a press release. “There should be no personnel deletion,” it’s up to be read. The SEV intends to follow with great attention the repercussions, “not yet very clear”, on the employees.
