Interval planning

Planning time windows for construction work on the railway infrastructure (interval planning) is a complex business. Sufficient time must be planned to allow construction work to be carried out effectively and to ensure that infrastructure is always in good condition. At the same time, construction work needs to carried out quickly and efficiently so that there is as little disruption to rail traffic as possible.

As an independent executive commission, RailCom is responsible for monitoring non-discriminatory access to the railway infrastructure. Interval planning is part of network access capacity planning. This means that infrastructure managers must avoid discrimination when planning intervals and capacity restrictions and when drawing up replacement measures.

Focusing on this issue, RailCom analysed the processes applied and consulted members of the industry at a conference held at the end of November 2021. RailCom ensures that the transport companies are informed of interval planning in good time, that they are involved on an equal footing in drawing up reasonable replacement measures and that any conflicts are resolved in a standardised procedure.

Pricing and discounts at intermodal freight terminals and sidings

Another focus of RailCom's oversight activities in the year under review was the prices and discounts at intermodal freight terminals co-financed by the Confederation. The Confederation has supported around 30 such facilities throughout Switzerland with investment contributions. The operators of these facilities are required to grant non-discriminatory access to third parties as well. This includes the design of pricing and discounts for handling and associated services.

RailCom conducted checks to ensure that the plant operators were complying with the legal requirements. In June 2021 it opened an ex officio investigation into one facilities operator to examine in more detail whether its prices and discounts respect the non-discrimination requirement. The facilities operator lodged an appeal against this ruling with the Federal Administrative Court. The appeal proceedings were still pending before the Federal Administrative Court at the end of the year.

RailCom focuses on interval planning and pricing and discounts at intermodal freight terminals co-financed by the Confederation