Here are 4 proven ways shippers can reduce rail freight costs, and how Tratics helps make each one simpler, faster, and more impactful.

1. Gain Full Price Visibility Across All Rail Rates

Rail pricing isn’t simple. Between contract rates, tariffs, Rule 11 rates, fuel surcharges, accessories and switch charges, costs can escalate quickly,  especially when visibility is limited.

How Shippers Save:

  • See the complete rate landscape so you know exactly what you’re paying
  • Avoid unexpected charges by understanding every component of your rail freight cost

How Tratics Helps:
Tratics consolidates rail pricing to include tariffs, Rule 11, fuel surcharge data and more,  into a single, easy-to-use platform, giving shippers a unified, transparent view of rates so they can budget, forecast, and negotiate smarter.

2. Optimize Carrier Selection & Negotiation Power

For many shippers, negotiating with rail carriers is a challenge, especially when freight rates are opaque or when there’s little data to support negotiations.

How Shippers Save:

  • Benchmark rates using reliable, up-to-date pricing data
  • Make informed decisions about which carrier, route, and rate structure deliver the best value

How Tratics Helps:
With real-time pricing and historical rate data available in Tratics, shippers gain leverage in carrier negotiations and can confidently select the most cost-effective options for their shipments.

3. Reduce Administrative Overhead & Manual Errors

Manual price management, siloed and complex spreadsheets, and fragmented contract management cost time and money. These inefficiencies can add up quickly and lead to errors that impact freight spend.

How Shippers Save:

  • Automate pricing lookups and comparisons
  • Centralize rate management to reduce repetitive work and mistakes
  • Automate reporting for different teams, including accounting and ERP systems

How Tratics Helps:
Tratics replaces manual processes with automation from accessing current rail rates to managing pricing contracts in one centralized platform, helping teams save time, reduce errors, and focus on higher-value work.

4. Make Faster, Smarter Logistics Decisions

Rail freight costs fluctuate based on fuel surcharges, market demand, seasonal trends, and carrier capacity. Making decisions with outdated or incomplete data often results in overpaying or missed savings opportunities.

How Shippers Save:

  • Respond quickly to market changes
  • Plan shipments more profitably using accurate, current pricing information

How Tratics Helps:
Tratics provides real-time pricing updates and insights that empower shippers to make smarter, faster decisions helping them choose the right timing, routing, and pricing strategy to reduce overall freight spend.


Rail freight doesn’t have to be costly or complex. With the right strategy and technology, shippers can significantly reduce freight spend while improving transparency, efficiency, and supply chain performance.

Tratics was built to bring clarity, control, and cost savings to rail shipping by transforming how shippers access, manage, and use rail pricing data. Instead of reacting to costs after the fact, shippers can proactively manage rail freight spend  with confidence.