The B2B magazine for stakeholders in the rail freight industry, RailFreight.com, today launches a membership model. With a RailFreight Premium subscription, visitors get to read all the articles online and receive discounts on RailFreight events.

In this way, the editorial team aims to ensure the quality and independence of the reporting and be an even better source of information for professionals in the rail freight industry. “Independent news gathering is a fundamental pillar under our RailFreight-strategy. This demands continuous investments in the editorial team and products. “Thanks to a subscription model, we have the possibility to invest – and also to give our members a discount on our events”, says publisher Luberto van Buiten.”This also gives us the opportunity to create a RailFreight community.”

Editor-in-Chief Majorie van Leijen thinks the introduction of the paid subscription is a logical next step for RailFreight. “Setting up a so-called ‘paywall’ on journalistic websites is becoming increasingly common. And when you think about it, it makes perfect sense: good journalism is practised by professionals. Thanks to their network and knowledge, they are able to provide the industry with the latest news and key background information every day. The best way to do that is from an independent position. And we achieve that by asking our readers to pay for this product,” says Van Leijen.

The introduction of the Premium membership follows a successful free trial period, which was used to let visitors get used to the fact that some of the articles are behind a so-called ‘paywall’. This free trial ended on 1 May. With the free subscription, it is now no longer possible to read the Premium articles. “People who had a free subscription will receive an email today with an offer to become a RailFreight Premium member. And, of course, we invite everyone else to also join our Premium community”, says Van Leijen.

With a paid membership, visitors can read premium articles and receive discounts on industry events. “As a trade magazine, you want to be the connection between all stakeholders in the industry. Organising substantive events is part of that. Like the RailFreight Connects that starts in September this year, and there are more events coming up where members can benefit from a membership discount.”

Do you want to become a premium RailFreight.com member and gain access to the latest industry insights? You can do it by following this link.