Schienen-Control 2024: More competition – but hardly any growth in rail freight transport – passenger transport at record high

The 2024 annual report published today by Schienen-Control record figures for rail passenger transport, but an ambivalent picture for rail freight transport in Austria: while the freight transport market is developing increasingly dynamically and competition is fierce, growth in the sector is virtually stagnating. The reasons for this are the economic situation, but also international construction sites and problems in recruiting personnel and rolling stock.

Record figures in passenger transport

Passenger numbers were boosted significantly by service expansions, increased frequency, and new connections. Particularly noteworthy are the opening of the Carinthian section of the Koralmbahn railway and additional services in the Vienna area. There was also an expansion in interregional long-distance transport, for example with new connections between Linz and Graz, Vienna and Villach, as well as additional night train connections and extended WESTbahn routes. Overall, a record level of 138.5 million passenger train kilometers was achieved. Passenger numbers rose by six percent compared to the previous year to 348.7 million. The total number of passenger kilometers traveled amounted to 15 billion.

Private freight railways are catching up – Rail Cargo Austria loses ground slightly

Rail Cargo Austria remained the market leader in freight transport in 2024 with a share of 57.3 percent of net ton-kilometers—a decline of 0.3 percentage points. Private rail companies (including Ecco-Rail, Lokomotion, and CargoServ) followed in second place with a total share of 27.6 percent. Private railways already dominated rail freight transport on the main transit axes (western axis, Brenner) with market shares of around 60 percent.

More competition, but no improvement in performance

"More slices of cake – but the cake remains the same size," is how Maria-Theresia Röhsler, managing director of Schienen-Control, sums up the situation. "Despite the increasing number of providers, rail freight transport performance has been stagnating for years. Although there was a slight increase in net and gross ton-kilometers in 2024, the economic situation, the decline in demand for rail-friendly goods, and restrictions due to flooding and extensive construction-related diversions have set clear limits on the sector." In addition, in a mixed network such as Austria's, the growth in passenger transport will eventually become a capacity issue for freight transport as well.

Flexible train paths urgently needed

Almost a third of total transport performance in 2024 was provided via short-term ad hoc train paths – and over 40 percent in the case of private railways. This shows that the demand for flexible but reliable train paths is increasing. "Rail freight transport needs adequate train paths and European coordination of construction sites,"argues Röhsler.

Structural challenges threaten single-carriage transport

Economic pressure on the single wagonload transport market segment continues to increase, despite subsidies. This form of freight transport is crucial for regions located far from large terminals, but is hardly economically viable anymore. In addition, personnel and material shortages as well as the closure of various connecting railways are increasingly limiting the industry's responsiveness, especially in international transport.

The full annual report is available under Publications and contains further information on the passenger and freight transport market, price developments, and the procedures of Schienen-Control .