Markus Giger, Head of Section – Federal Office of Transport, Section Rail Network
Switzerland introduced its first track access charging (TAC) scheme in 1999. It was simple but nevertheless differentiated in that it also charged for the weight of a train and not only a train path. However, this has been criticized as too simple and the scheme has been reviewed. New pricing elements came in, others were developed. The prices charged are based upon the real costs of the network, largely the marginal costs. The 2013/17 scheme is more differentiated but still simple enough. And it will change the share of passenger and freight trains in the total charge.