15 members in the coalition. One of them is Rail Cargo Group – the freight transport provider of Austria’s largest mobility service provider ÖBB. RCG is one of the leading rail logistics companies in Europe with annual sales of 2.3 billion Euros and 8,500 employees.
Why is RFF so important for the Rail Cargo Group?
The future of the entire rail freight industry depends on its players (railway undertakings and their ecosystems) and their capability to co-operate on multiple levels. Climate protection is a top priority for the Rail Cargo Group. It is an integral part of our products and services and the core of our vision and mission for the future. The Rail Cargo Group’s aim is to re-establish rail freight as the logistical backbone of Europe – and beyond. RFF holds the key to achieving this.
Why is RFF so important for Austria?
With 8,500 employees and subsidiaries located all over Europe, the Rail Cargo Group is one of the leading rail logistics companies in Europe. Along with its strong partners, the Rail Cargo Group operates a comprehensive end-to-end logistics network in Europe and beyond into Asia. It connects European commercial hubs and ports to prosperous economic centres as far away as Russia, Turkey and China.
“The transport industry is the most powerful and effective tool we have to reduce CO2 emissions. The European transport market is set to grow by another 30% by 2030. We must do everything we can to make sure that the majority of this growth takes place on the rails. Our customers do their bit to reduce their carbon footprint every time they choose to transport their goods by rail”, so RCG board member Clemens Först.
Our activation campaign “Noah’s Train” has already brought the RFF message to at least 10% of the Austrian population and more than one million European citizens. The coalition is growing and momentum is building to help protect our climate by shifting more freight transport from the road to the eco-friendly railways.
Why is RFF so important for Europe?
Rail Freight Forward is a trans-European initiative that aims to communicate to the European public that rail freight transport is an essential response to the challenges of climate change. The transport sector is one of the biggest sources of CO2 pollution and the greenhouse effect. Shifting freight transport to the rails is the quickest and most direct way of combating ever-increasing CO2 emissions and pollution. There is still a lot to be done to make this modal shift happen: we need to harmonise procedures and regulations at EU level and to reduce the number of interfaces at national borders. Working together as part of the RFF coalition is more important than ever. Our aim is to make driving a train through Europe as easy as driving a truck. RFF is driving this message forward.
What have we achieved so far at RCG and in Austria as part of RFF?
RCG has been a member from the word go. The Rail Freight Forward coalition has succeeded in creating a Europe-wide “coalition of the willing”. This is a first for Europe, and Austria is very actively involved. Not only the Rail Cargo Group, but also the LTE Group and Ost-West Logistik Netzwerk are part of this European coalition. The joint work programme was the ideal opportunity for the Rail Cargo Group to significantly improve services for their freight transport customers. Notable examples include the expansion of multilateral connections in Central Asia, handing over the first TransANT wagons to voestalpine’s subsidiary logserv, expanding the rolling road as part of the 10 Point Plan for alpine transit traffic and better connections to Scandinavia for RCG’s freight transport customers.