Rail Transport Market Report 2025

The rail transport market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $590.53 billion in 2024 to $633.75 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to strong economic growth in emerging markets, rise in e-commerce, change in taxation rules, and rise in mining activity.

The rail transport market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $806.03 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to high-speed trains, technological advances, and emphasis on cutting carbon emission. Major trends in the forecast period include adopting head on generation (HOG) technology should to reduce their carbon footprints, increase profitability of operations, and reduce operating costs and other fuel related expenses, harness digitalization to improve passengers experience and reduce costs, invest in connected mobility to enable drivers and their passengers to experience a much smoother trip and exploit obstacle detection assistance system to enhance passenger’s safety and to reduce accidents.

The growth of the rail transport services market is supported by the stable economic growth anticipated in many developed and developing countries. For instance, in April 2024, the International Monetary Fund, a US-based financial organization, projected that the global economy would maintain a growth rate of 3.2% in 2024 and 2025, consistent with the pace observed in 2023. Recovering commodity prices, following a significant decline in the past, are also expected to contribute to market growth. Developed economies are predicted to experience stable growth during the forecast period, while emerging markets are anticipated to grow slightly faster than developed markets. This stable economic environment is expected to boost investments in end-user markets, further driving the rail transport services market during the forecast period.

The growing demand for rail freight transport is expected to drive the growth of the rail transport market in the future. Rail freight involves the movement of commodities by train, allowing for the delivery of larger volumes of cargo over longer distances compared to air, ocean, or road transit. An increase in railroad freight can lead to heightened railroad construction, as more trains will be needed to meet the demand for rail freight transport. For instance, in June 2024, the Office of Rail and Road, a UK-based government department, reported that freight movement in Great Britain reached 15.76 billion net tonne kilometers between April 2023 and March 2024, reflecting a slight increase from the previous year's 15.73 billion net tonne kilometers. Therefore, the rising demand for rail freight transport is driving the growth of the railroad construction market. Additionally, increasing urbanization is contributing to the expansion of the rail transport market.

The rail transportation industry is increasingly adopting Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology to optimize energy usage, improve operational management, enhance safety, and contribute to cost reduction. These systems offer automatic warning, protection, operation, supervision, and control arrangements, helping meet stringent government regulations related to passenger safety. Globally, around 60 million units of advanced driver assistance systems have been produced, with companies such as Thales Group, Alstom S.A., Bombardier Transportation, Hitachi Ltd., CRRC Corporation Limited, Ansaldo STS, and SIEMENS AG providing these systems for locomotives.

Prominent companies in the rail transport market are actively developing rail tracking solutions to improve efficiency and maintain their market positions. Rail tracking solutions involve advanced technologies that monitor and optimize the movement of trains and railway operations. For example, in June 2023, Vizion, a US-based API-based solution, introduced an intermodal rail tracking feature. This innovative solution complements Vizion's existing ocean tracking capabilities, providing seamless visibility for shippers, logistics service providers, and other users as containers transition from maritime vessels to inland transportation. The intermodal rail tracking solution streamlines the tracking process by eliminating the need for a lengthy Letter of Authorization process and separate transactions for ocean and rail tracking.

Major companies operating in the rail transport market include Deutsche Bahn, BNSF, JSC Russian Railways, Indian Railways, SNCF, Union Pacific Corporation, East Japan Railway Company, CSX Corporation, Central Japan Railway Company, Canadian National Railway Company, Aurizon Holdings Ltd., China State Railway Group Co. Ltd., Container Corp. of India Ltd., Japan Freight Railway Co., KiwiRail Ltd., PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), Qube Holdings Ltd., Twentieth Super Pace Nominees Pty Ltd, Abellio ScotRail, Arriva Rail London, Avanti West Coast, c2c, Caledonian Sleeper, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Eurostar, Govia Thameslink Railway, Greater Anglia, Great Western Railway, Hull Trains, Grand Central, Merseyrail, Virgin Trains, ScotRail, London Overground, Heathrow Connect, ČD Cargo, České dráhy, Die Länderbahn, GW Train Regio, Emperor Franz Joseph Railway, Căile Ferate Române, CFR Marfă, Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC, Norfolk Southern Corporation, The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, SOO Line Railroad Company, Kansas City Southern, Canadian Pacific Railway, Hudson Bay Railway Co., Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway, Rampa Express De Mexico, Unitrade, Haf Logistica Internacional, SILT Corporation, Brazil Great Southern Railway, Companhia do Metropolitano de São Paulo, Companhia Paulista de Estradas de Ferro, Ferrocarril Transandino, Perurail, Belmond Andean Explorer, Ferrovías Central Andina, Estrada de Ferro Central do Brasil, Saudi Railway Company, Israel Railways Ltd., Iraq Republic Railways Co., Middle East Rail, Turkish State Railways (TCDD), Arabian Railway Company, Egyptian National Railways (ENR), Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), Transnet Freight Rail, Nigerian Railway Corporation.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the rail transport market in 2024. Western Europe was the second largest region in the rail transport market. The regions covered in the rail transport market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the rail transport market report are Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, France, Germany, UK, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa.

The rail transport market includes revenues earned by entities by providing transportation because it is unaffected by traffic and adverse weather conditions and can carry large amounts of goods. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

Rail transport involves the movement of people and goods utilizing wheeled vehicles designed for travel along railroads. These railroads operate within expansive networks with physical facilities, labor forces, and equipment covering a broad geographic area, or on local rail lines for shorter distances.

The primary categories within the rail transport market include passenger rail transport and rail freight. Rail freight encompasses services where goods are transported via rail cars. Distances in rail transport are categorized into long-distance and short-distance, while destinations are classified as domestic and international. Various industries, including mining, construction, agriculture, and others, utilize rail transportation.

The rail transport market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides rail transport market statistics, including rail transport industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a rail transport market share, detailed rail transport market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the rail transport industry. This rail transport market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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