Vienna, 27.12.2021 – ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) operates more than 460,000 freight trains every year, keeping the Austrian and European economies, and their commercial links to Asia, running around the clock – whatever the weather, on Sundays and public holidays, and over Christmas and the New Year as well. RCG is Europe’s second-largest rail freight transport company. With operations in 18 countries, 12 logistics centres and 16 terminals, it is one of the biggest high-performing logistics service providers in the world.
RCG’s secondary network operators are on duty 365 days a year as well
Representing the great many RCG employees who work even on Sundays and public holidays is a group of people whose work is often hidden from view – the logistic agents. They may work behind the scenes, but they play a decisive role in the smooth running of our transport chains. Logistic agents are mainly responsible for making sure that empty freight wagons are available on time, so that RCG customers can then load the goods to be transported onto them, right on schedule. This is absolutely essential if we are to guarantee that the goods will reach their destination on time. Sabrina and Florian (see picture) work at the Bludenz site in Vorarlberg and have shown huge commitment in their fantastic work for RCG over the last 8 and 9 years respectively. As well as working at weekends and on public holidays, they are also on call at night, from 6.30 pm to 6.30 am in case they’re needed. For them, the motivation is clear: “We really value teamwork, because it’s only by working together that we can serve our customers well.”
Transporting goods by rail is both environmentally sustainable and systemically important.
About 30 % of domestic CO2 emissions come from transport – and the trend is rising sharply. In terms of freight transport, trucks are one of the main emitters. Trucks produce up to 40 times more CO2 emissions than trains in Austria. Europe is aiming to be carbon neutral by 2050 – Austria wants to be there by 2040. Shifting goods transport from road to rail is crucial if we are to achieve this goal of climate neutrality in transport in Austria and in Europe.
ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) has been keeping the full range of its national and international rail freight transport services running, even throughout the coronavirus pandemic. This has ensured that people and the economy can continue to be supplied with goods. In doing so, we have of course kept to the strictest health and safety guidance for RCG employees and the official regulations. Even when the coronavirus pandemic first broke out in early 2020, ÖBB Rail Cargo Group maintained security of supply. This meant that, in just a few days, even cross-border shipments could be dramatically increased, enabling goods to reach their destinations. When required, additional transport capacity can now be provided (subject to weather conditions). The same is true for the Rolling Road (ROLA) service. Bespoke end-to-end logistics solutions are also available, including the arrangement of first- and last-mile services.
Rail Cargo Group: the freight transport division of the ÖBB
The Rail Cargo Group is one of the leading rail logistics companies in Europe. We are the ones shaping the industry – 365 days a year – 24 hours a day. Across Europe and beyond into Asia. We connect people, businesses and markets – from the first to the last mile. It’s thanks to our 9,393 members of staff from 34 nations located in 18 different countries that 460,000 trains a year, which means 1,260 a day, reach their destinations safe and sound. With our efficient end-to-end logistics services, we transport 95 million net tonnes of freight each year. We have a modal share of 28.2 % of the total freight market in Austria, which makes us top of the league in Europe. Every year, we save the climate from around 1.1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions in Austria. Operational management of the Rail Cargo Group lies with Rail Cargo Austria AG.
ÖBB: Today. Tomorrow. Together.
As a comprehensive mobility and logistics service provider, the ÖBB Group’s eco-friendly transport services brought 287 million passengers and over 95 million tonnes of freight safely to their destinations in 2020. The electricity that powers the company’s trains and railway stations comes from 100 percent renewable energy sources. With a punctuality rating of around 97 percent in passenger transport, the ÖBB ranks as one of the most punctual rail companies in Europe. With annual investments in rail infrastructure of over three billion Euro, the ÖBB is building the railways of tomorrow. Across the Group, almost 42,000 members of bus and rail staff and around 2,000 apprentices make sure around 1.3 million travellers and 1,300 freight trains reach their destinations safely. The ÖBB is the backbone of the public transport system. As the largest eco-friendly business in Austria, the ÖBB brings people and freight wherever they need to go, safely and sustainably. The company’s strategic management lies with ÖBB-Holding AG.
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