European rail freight volumes down 10% in March 2022: CER

Although freight volumes almost reached pre-crisis levels in December, they dropped again in March to -9 per cent. Revenues however almost stabilised to their pre-crisis level between December 2021 and March 2022. Sustained revenues in a context of decreasing volumes may, however, hide the repercussions of increasing energy costs on final prices, partly to the detriment of operators’ margins, according to the CER.

CER executive director Alberto Mazzola said: “While it is encouraging to see that rail traffic is growing, with a strong increase in private long-distance rail passenger traffic, commuter services and business travel remain quite low compared to before the COVID crisis. Rail companies continue to accumulate losses in these fields and further evolution is important for the provision of public services. At the same time, the European rail community continues to express its solidarity towards the people of Ukraine and to support ongoing international and European aid efforts.”

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KD)