Topic: Track access charges

Infrastructure fees Germany aims for new TAC system by 2027, way too late for rail freight sector

Last week, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled against Germany’s existing track access charge (TAC) system. Berlin finds itself forced to rethink its approach…
Court strikes down German TAC rule ECJ opens door to several hundred million euro TAC refunds in Germany

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled against the German cap on track access charges (TAC) for local passenger traffic. Since 2016, rail freight…
GOOD NEWS FOR FREIGHT Data of the Week: Portugal limits track access charges increase for freight

Freight train operators in Portugal will have reduced increases in the access track charges (TAC). The infrastructure manager (IP – Infraestruturas de Portugal) released an…
Freight has low expectations from Great British Railways consultations   Will UK freight get a hearing over GBR access charges?

It may be late in the day, or premature if you remain sceptical. Either way, Network Rail is about to begin engaging with the rail…
6% increase instead Germany avoids worst-case TAC scenario

German rail freight breathes a cautious sigh of relief. The industry has managed to avoid a feared and dreaded 35% increase in track access charges…
FROM 35% TO 16%? Germany to ‘mitigate’ increase in track access charges

Track access charges (TAC) in Germany will rise next month, increasing the burden of costs for rail operators. The German government has now decided to…
DB InfraGO's equity Germany awaits a new TAC increase, will it be on time to curb the damage?

On 14 December, track access charges (TACs) in Germany will increase. The initial forecast was that they would grow by 35%, but the country has…
Environmental compensation Sweden puts a big TAC subsidy on the table

Sweden’s autumn budget proposal features a win for rail freight. The so-called special environmental compensation will get a 330 million Swedish crown boost (around 30…
Even higher TACs from 2026? No extra money for German TAC subsidies, DB InfraGO applies for higher charges

The new German government has approved its first budget. For rail freight, the key question on the table were subsidies for track access charges (TAC).…
NEW PRICING MODEL PROPOSED Track access charges in Germany to increase ‘only’ by 16% instead of 35%

The German government decided to reform the pricing system for track access charges (TAC), which are a problem for many rail freight operators. Instead of…
Financial pressure Dutch rail freight still in trouble after parliamentary votes: Here are the numbers.

Parliament in the Netherlands recently voted on two proposals to accommodate rail freight. A motion on 740-metre trains passed, whereas lower infrastructure fees could not…
A win and a loss Netherlands says yes to 740-metre trains, no to lower track access charges

A win and a loss for rail freight in the Netherlands. The Dutch parliament held votes on two proposals to enable more competitive rail freight.…