French freight track access charges waived

Article from Railway Gazette

Railway Gazette reports that track access charges for freight trains will be waived until the end of this year and halved in 2021, as announced by Prime Minister Jean Castex on July 27.

Tenders will be called for new and updated rolling motorway routes from Bayonne to Cherbourg and the port of Sète near Montpellier to Calais before the end of the year.

Castex also referred to the defunct Perpignan – Rungis overnight freight service, which until July last year carried fruit and vegetables in refrigerated wagons from Spanish producers to markets in Paris, adding that the government would like to see the service extended to run from Barcelona to Antwerpen.

Waiving of freight access fees for the rest of this year will cost the government €63m, and halving next year the same amount, according to the Prime Minister’s office. In return, the government hopes that there will be 20 000 fewer lorries on the roads in 2021, meaning a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions.

Further reports from RailFreight.com focusing on rolling motorway elements.