After an already planned rise in track access charges (TAC), much verbal protesting from the sector and a lawsuit against the pricing system, it seems that Germany is looking at yet another increase. Reportedly, infrastructure manager DB InfraGO is applying for an average TAC hike of 20 per cent in 2026.
The requested 20 per cent hike is supposed to mostly affect local passenger traffic. However, German private rail freight association Die Güterbahnen says that there is “no reason to breathe a sigh of relief.” Earlier this year, Germany approved a 16,2 per cent TAC increase.
The association’s Managing Director Peter Westenberger says: “The 2016 TAC system is collapsing right before our eyes. One price shock after another. Instead of the usual two per cent annual TAC increase, the common good-oriented DB InfraGO wants an average hike of 6 per cent in 2025 and 20 per cent in 2026.”
Loans and equity injections instead of subsidies
In early August, Die Güterbahnen warned that the German government’s intentions to reduce the federal budget deficit would be destructive for the rail sector. As part of the plans, Deutsche Bahn would no longer get construction cost subsidies. Rather, it would have to rely on loans and equity injections. Both of those options would inevitably lead to growing track access charges, said Die Güterbahnen.
Private rolling stock industry association VPI concurs. “Anyone who seriously wants to shift traffic to rail must not do one thing: Equity injections instead of construction cost subsidies. The latest traffic light coalition 2025 budget proposes exactly that”, the association says.
As part of the German pricing system from 2016, DB InfraGO has the right to a profit margin based on its equity. The federal government now plans to replace subsidies with equity injections. In turn, the profit margin that the company is entitled to will grow, which leads to higher track access charges.
Both VPI and Die Güterbahnen are calling for a reform of the German TAC system. A lawsuit was launched by market parties earlier this year to force a reform of the system.