Rail operators that can redefine their role as a low-carbon solution can win new business from environmentally conscious travelers, shippers, and governments.
At the same time, digitization can help rail operators improve on-time performance and create a better connection with passengers and shippers, while advanced analytics can uncover new opportunities in the different locations and parts of the transportation value chain that they serve.
BCG’s rail operations consulting team partners with urban transportation, passenger rail, rail freight, rail infrastructure, rail maintenance, and rail technology companies.
Our advice offers deep expertise to many of the world’s biggest rail operators—and broad experience in digital transformation across industries.
Online platforms and apps are shaking up markets by offering end-to-end transparency across different types of transportation and logistics services. As a leading railroad consulting firm, BCG prepares rail operators to seize the opportunities offered by multimodal offerings—and to develop and deploy digital platforms of their own. In addition, we guide rail freight operators in adapting new digital solutions and in positioning their companies strategically in a rapidly changing value chain for transportation and logistics.
BCG deploys advanced analytics to help rail industry clients identify routes with potential capacity and optimize yield. We also tap big data and predictive analytics to more easily reduce asset downtime and automate route and maintenance planning in rail infrastructure as well as passenger transport.
Evolving modes of transport are reshaping markets around the world. BCG helps rail transport companies collaborate with road and air services, including the emerging networks of autonomous vehicles, ridesharing, and bike sharing.
We partner with rail operators to deploy digital levers, including digital platforms, predictive analytics, advanced monitoring, and automation of operations.
Through this center, we help clients address shared challenges, such as congestion, pollution, and the development of new technologies. We help clients connect with the right stakeholders at each stage of the value chain to take new ideas from the drawing board to the street.
Helping a National Rail Operator Serve as an Essential Contributor to a National Climate Management Program. Our rail operations consulting team gathered the evidence needed to position the company at the forefront of its nation’s sustainability strategy, boosting its standing with the government, businesses, and consumers.
Identifying and Prioritizing New Business Models That Could Be Developed from a National Rail Carrier’s Data Collection. BCG helped the carrier draw on best practices from several industries to estimate the likely value generated by the proposed models.
New customer needs and demand patterns will emerge that require a response. Thinking beyond the core tenets of PSR with this in mind will help Class 1 players achieve that future.
Digitization is poised to transform rail transportation. To remain competitive, operators must get onboard.
To build upon their recent efficiency gains, railroads need an expanded set of management principles.
