German railway operator wants substantially higher access fees for freight transport
Published on August 24, 2026
Access to the German rail network will become more expensive for freight carriers in 2027. At least, if infrastructure manager DB InfraGO gets its way. The company has requested a 12.6 percent increase in usage rates for standard freight transport for the upcoming timetable year. Nevertheless, the final price per kilometer will likely remain unclear until the very last moment.
DB InfraGO submitted its price proposal for 2027 on Thursday, August 20. For a standard freight train, the German infrastructure manager is requesting a rate of 3.92 euros per kilometer. Currently, this rate stands at 3.48 euros.
Should Germany approve such a price increase, freight companies would have to pay approximately 112 million euros more in rail access fees next year.
The German rail freight association, Die Güterbahnen, is clearly disappointed with the proposal. “Freight transport is being used as a pawn by an infrastructure manager that is not under political control,” says senior advisor Oliver Smock.
“Of all sectors, rail freight transport, which has faced a persistent decline in train traffic over the past three years, will once again face the highest percentage price increases,” Smock continues. “This more than negates the relief achieved only recently by the new price approval for 2026, especially since the federal government plans to reclaim up to 40 million euros of this relief by cutting subsidies for access charges.”
Ordering without knowing the price
The lack of clarity regarding tariffs poses a major problem for freight carriers. Companies have reserved their rail access slots for the new timetable year since March, according to Smock. However, they have no idea what the cost picture will look like in 2027.
“Given the problems that have been known for years, it is simply incomprehensible that the German Ministry of Transport has still not presented a feasible plan to curb the cost increases and unpredictability of rail access charges,” adds Smock.
Die Güterbahnen explains that rail freight transport will likely remain in the dark regarding pricing until the very last moment. This is due to a lawsuit currently being conducted by DB InfraGO and the lack of a reformed German system for fees.