Alpine Rail Freight Crisis: Truck Transport Ends 2026

Swiss rolling highway service to cease operations by end of 2025, three years ahead of schedule, impacting trans-Alpine freight transport.

The Swiss 'rolling highway' (Rola) service will cease operations at the end of 2025.
RAlpin, the operator, is a cooperative venture between BLS, SBB, and Hupac.
The service transports lorries between Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, and Novara, Italy.
Rail infrastructure disruptions in Germany are a primary cause for the service's failure.
Unaccompanied container transport will continue, but full lorry loading onto trains will end.

2025

Year of cessation

3 years

Time reduction

Employees affected

"In agreement with the Swiss Confederation, operation of the Rola (rolling motorway) will cease at the end of 2025 instead of 2028."
— RAlpin

"is no longer profitable for RAlpin, despite financial support from the Confederation and continuing satisfactory demand"
— RAlpin

The Death of the Rolling Highway

The Swiss 'rolling highway' (Rola) service will cease operations at the end of 2025.
RAlpin, the operator, is a cooperative venture between BLS, SBB, and Hupac.
The service transports lorries between Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, and Novara, Italy.
Rail infrastructure disruptions in Germany are a primary cause for the service's failure.
Unaccompanied container transport will continue, but full lorry loading onto trains will end.

2025

Year of cessation

3 years

Time reduction

Employees affected

"In agreement with the Swiss Confederation, operation of the Rola (rolling motorway) will cease at the end of 2025 instead of 2028."
— RAlpin

"is no longer profitable for RAlpin, despite financial support from the Confederation and continuing satisfactory demand"
— RAlpin