Railway undertakings must have applied for and been allocated train paths before they can use railway infrastructure. The requirement to apply is independent of the frequency and regularity of the use intended. The following regulations, documents and supporting material are intended to help you prepare your applications for train paths. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Regulations for applying for train paths

The Regulations for Applying for Train Paths (include the appendices) are intended

to provide guidance for applying for train paths (basic and ancillary services). The document explains the procedures for applying for and being allocated train paths. It includes the processes linked with the allocation of train paths but taking place before and after it and gives details of the statutory framework underpinning the processes.

Train path catalogues as an aid for applying for train paths for freight traffic on the North-South axes Train path catalogues for transit freight traffic on the North-South axes via the Gotthard and Lötschberg-Simplon are available to help applicants to apply for train paths and to plan their own commercial offers:

Annual timetable process

Train path catalogues are intended to help applicants apply for train paths in the next annual timetable round. They become available with effect from mid-January and, in accordance with EU Directive 2001/14 (Article 15 and Annex 3, Point 4), show what capacity in terms of international freight train paths will be available in the next annual timetable. The catalogues are based on the various railway undertakings’ assessment of medium term market needs and on the conditions imposed by the network managers. The standard times shown for frontier purposes and change of operating regime are intended as a planning aid, and should be taken into account in applying for train paths.

Remaining capacity in the current timetable

The train path catalogues contain details of the capacity remaining in the current timetable. They are intended to help applicants apply for train paths in the current timetable. The catalogues are updated on the internationally agreed dates for updating the current timetable.