Simplon Rail Corridor Capacity Falls to 26.3%
Freight use of the Domodossola-Brig rail route dropped sharply in the first half of 2026 as upgrade works continue.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Transportation
Capacity utilisation on the Simplon railway corridor fell to 26.3% in the first half of 2026, down from 36.9% a year earlier. Freight volume on the corridor declined 15.3% over the same period, with approximately 410,000 tonnes of goods transported.
Why it matters
The decline reflects prolonged maintenance works and the route's less favourable characteristics compared with the Chiasso crossing. Railway operators are questioning whether customers will return once the upgrades are complete.
Freight volume fell 15.3% compared with the first half of 2025, with roughly 410,000 tonnes carried, against a Domodossola-Brig theoretical capacity of 110 freight trains per day. Operators have not said whether lost volume will recover once upgrade works finish.
The players
Swiss Federal Railways
Switzerland's national railway operator, which is completely refurbishing the Simplon Tunnel until 2028.
DB Cargo Italia
The Italian freight subsidiary of German rail operator Deutsche Bahn, which abandoned its Domodossola-Beura facility in 2025.
Swiss Federal Office of Transport
The Swiss federal agency responsible for transport policy, which published the Simplon corridor capacity figures.
The details
Upgrading works on the Simplon corridor began in 2024, and Swiss Federal Railways is refurbishing the Simplon Tunnel until 2028 with six-month annual traffic restrictions. DB Cargo Italia abandoned its Domodossola-Beura facility in 2025, concentrating services on the Gotthard route.
Timeline
September 2020: Italy and Switzerland signed a memorandum of understanding on Simplon upgrades.
February 2022: A bilateral agreement formalised the Simplon upgrade memorandum.
2024: Simplon corridor upgrading works began.
2025: DB Cargo Italia abandoned its Domodossola-Beura facility.
First half of 2026: Simplon capacity utilisation fell to 26.3%.
Transportation Outlook
The decline follows the September 2020 Italy-Switzerland memorandum that launched Simplon upgrades, which were formalised in February 2022. Operators are now weighing whether the corridor's lower capacity during works will permanently shift freight toward the Gotthard and Chiasso routes.
Shippers relying on the Simplon route may face fewer available trains and longer transit planning while upgrades continue through 2029. Businesses should confirm routing and capacity with their freight operators before committing to this corridor.
The takeaway
Freight planners should treat the Simplon corridor as a constrained route through the end of the decade. Watching whether volumes return after works finish will show whether the rail line can regain its former role.
What happens next
Works on the Simplon corridor are scheduled to continue in stages until 2029.
Further reading
For broader context on rail freight routes across Europe, explore Transportation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TrasportoEuropa.
