Czech MEP Ondřej Krutílek (ECR) has asked the European Commission to assess the sharp decline in single-wagon-load rail freight services, a segment he describes as among the fastest-declining in EU rail transport. In a written parliamentary question submitted on 21 May 2026, Krutílek warns that rail freight has been steadily losing market share to road transport in many Member States, including the Czech Republic, and that total transport volumes are falling.
The question targets three specific areas: the Commission's assessment of the reasons behind the decline, the tools available to boost rail competitiveness and support infrastructure such as intermodal terminals and cross-border connections, and whether EU policies account for the economic sustainability of single-wagon-load services.
Policy orientation and concrete asks
Krutílek's question does not set numerical targets or deadlines but presses the Commission to acknowledge the structural challenges facing single-wagon-load operations. By highlighting the segment's specific characteristics, he implicitly argues for tailored policy measures rather than one-size-fits-all rail support. The MEP's framing suggests concern that current EU transport policy may be insufficient to reverse modal shift away from rail.
Expected follow-up
The Commission is required to respond within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it shares the MEP's diagnosis and whether it plans targeted action for single-wagon-load services, which are vital for connecting smaller freight flows to main rail corridors but are often economically fragile.