High administrative costs could threaten successful rail noise abatement

High administrative costs of up to 5,8 billion EUR could threaten successful rail noise abatement

At present, different support programmes and incentive regimes are being discussed on the EU and national level to retrofit freight wagons to reduce their noise. A study commissioned by important rail associations (VDV, VPI, UIP, ERFA, UIC) and rail companies (AAE, DB Netz, DB Schenker Rail) has shown that all models will cost up to 5,8 billion EUR all over Europe in administrative costs in addition to the actual retrofitting and higher operational costs. Rail freight wagon keepers, railway undertakings, national and European associations agree that these costs cannot be borne by the sector but require subsidisation.