Strengths rail freight transport become more visible in Corona crisis 26/03/20

Source: www.railgood.nl

Strengths of rail freight transport for European supply chain become extra visible in the Corona crisis

• More and more shippers see rail freight transport as a sustainable and safe alternative to road transport, which is becoming increasingly expensive and hindered by traffic jams. Efficient, reliable and new transport concepts are increasingly attracting shippers to rail.
• The corona virus is putting us all to the test, both personal and in business. As a rail freight transport sector, we have a special responsibility to ensure that the European population and economy are supplied efficiently and reliably.
• Rail freight transport, a reliable partner in logistics.
• The strengths and advantages of rail freight transport are particularly evident now: o    One of the major advantages of rail freight is that few people move large volumes of goods. Only one locomotive driver is needed for 40 to 60 trucks. Large volumes of goods can be transported from origin to destination with just a few people. This substantially reduces the risk of spreading the Corona virus.
  o    No traffic jams and long waiting times at the borders, thanks to standard and regular transit train connections. As a result, goods are delivered on time, predictably and efficiently in all European economic centers and ports.
  o    There is sufficient freight capacity on the freight trains and, if necessary, operating frequencies can be increased. There is no shortage of locomotives, personnel and wagons. There is sufficient terminal capacity. Due to the downscaling of rail passenger traffic during the Corona crisis, there is sufficient capacity on the railways.
  o    The rail freight carriers, intermodal operators and rail freight forwarders affiliated with RailGood are ready to offer customers suitable transport and logistics solutions.
  o    Personnel in the rail freight sector are motivated to provide good transport services and to serve customers well.
  o    Be assured that the rail freight carriers, intermodal operators and rail freight forwarders together with infra manager ProRail (and other chain partners) are working hard every day to ensure that rail freight transport supplies the logistics chains in the Netherlands and Europe. We will continue to do so in the coming weeks, possibly months, and of course also after the Corona crisis.
  o    During this awful Corona crisis, we must follow all health guidelines and advice from the health authorities. Let's all make sure we all stay healthy!
  For frequently asked questions about the Corona virus and health, see:
  https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/coronavirus-covid-19/veelgestelde-vragen-over-coronavirus-en-gezondheid