Rail motorways: an innovative, ecological and competitive service

Rail motorways make optimal use of each means of transport, combining the benefits of :

  • flexible road transport,
  • rail, which is the most economical means of transporting heavy loads over distances greater than 600 km.

They are well adapted to crossing natural obstacles, like mountain ranges, provide an economical and environmentally-friendly solution for long journeys in flat regions and offer their users a number of advantages.

More efficient logistics

  • Frequent connections: four daily return shuttles on the AFA and the Luxembourg- Perpignan line (every 6 hours),
  • Daily connections on the Luxembourg- Perpignan line, including weekends and public holidays, when lorries must keep off the roads,
  • Quick loading and unloading cycles, lasting just 1 hour for a full train,
  • Reliable timetables,
  • Easy to use and reactive. Booking on the internet, reservations accepted up to 1 hour before departure, tracking of the trains by a 24x7 service, possibility to take the next train in the event of unforeseen delays,

Reduced transport costs: 10 to 15% cheaper than by road on average

  • Fuel savings,
  • Reduced impact of changing fuel prices for a better visibility of operating costs,
  • Reduced payroll (drivers, driving hours, night work),
  • Less wear on equipment (tyres, maintenance), extended vehicle service life,
  • Lower insurance premiums.

Benefits for communities

  • Less congestion, improved road safety,
  • Better use of rail capacity, which helps, to an extent, to limit investment in the road infrastructure,
  • Improved spread of volumes between means of transport.

Social advantages

  • Improved respect of regulations (driving hours and rest time) for safer roads,
  • Safe carriage of hazardous materials,
  • Possibility for the driver to do other jobs (short-distance runs) during the journey by train.

Reduced environmental impact

  • Reduced emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases by 90%

Ex : Emissions on the journey between Bettembourg (Luxembourg) and Le Boulou (France)
             - 1 tonne CO2 equivalent by road
             - 0.2 tonne CO2 equivalent with the Lorry Rail service

  • Cut in the consumption of fossil fuels,
  • Less damage to ecologically sensitive areas,
  • Positive impact on the carrier's brand image.