Frankfurt/Chiasso, 21.11.2025 – Leading companies and associations are sounding the alarm with a joint initiative entitled "Save Combined Transport": current developments in rail freight transport are jeopardising the backbone of climate-friendly and efficient logistics – with far-reaching consequences for the economy, transport and the environment.
The initiative was triggered by an Open letter to Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder and DB CEO Evelyn Palla. The broad response shows: The industry needs a strong, visible voice.
Why the initiative is necessary
Combined Transport – the linking of rail and road – keeps Europe's supply chains running. In Germany alone, it replaces around 6 million truck journeys every year. But the system is under massive pressure:
- declining punctuality and train cancellations
- rising costs
- months of full closures as part of the general refurbishment of the German railway network
- lack of marketable diversion routes.
As a result, transport is moving back to the roads – often permanently. This means more traffic jams, more CO₂, jeopardised production chains and a weakening of the business location. Even a 30% shift back to road would cause over 1 million additional truck journeys and 1.3 million tonnes of CO₂.
New website with facts, insights and background information
The website www.save-combined-transport.com provides comprehensive information on the importance and risks of combined transport. In particular, it documents the collateral damage of current and planned corridor renovations in Germany for industry, freight forwarders and the environment.
Our demands to prevent the collapse
The "Save Combined Transport" initiative gives the industry a common voice. We show the consequences of the current development – and what politicians and infrastructure operators need to do now.
We demand:
- stable and predictable framework conditions
- reliable transport capacities during the construction phases
- functioning, marketable diversion routes
- fair and competitive track access charges
- an infrastructure development that does not slow down logistics and industry.
The sector is ready for constructive dialogue – together, open and solution-oriented
Everyone can join in – petition launched
The initiative has launched a petition to strengthen the discussion in politics and among the public. Every support counts: www.openpetition.de/!savect .
Why your voice is important:
- because the railway network no longer functions reliably in many places
- because line closures and train cancellations are forcing companies to relocate back to the road
- because rising track access charges make climate-friendly transport uneconomical
- because a massive step backwards for the climate, transport and competitiveness is imminent
- because the perspective of freight transport users must finally be heard.
The initiative is an open platform – companies, organisations and citizens can participate.
Stop the shift back to the roads– specific short and medium-term demands
- Zero track access charges
A necessary immediate final - analogous to long-distance passenger transport.
- Capacity guarantee of at least 90 % of the current transport capacity
For all corridor renovations and longer construction sites.
- Upgrading of suitable diversionary routes
With the same parameters for train length, train weight and train profile as on the main axes.
- Allocation of train paths in case of bottlenecks according to market requirements
Consideration of profile, train load and round trip synchronisation in order to keep as many transports as possible on the rails.
- Operating difficulty allowance for inferior train paths during construction phases
Financial compensation so that connections do not have to be cancelled.
- Suspension of charges in the event of train path cancellations
Until acceptable network quality is restored.
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About the initiative
"Save Combined Transport" is coordinated by the combined transport operators Kombiverkehr and Hupac – in the interests of the entire logistics industry. The aim is to secure and strengthen combined transport as an indispensable pillar of supply and climate policy. | 
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