Switzerland – in the middle!

Switzerland lies in the centre of Europe, with the railway corridor of Rotterdam-Genua running across the Swiss territory. Switzerland is linked with the European high-speed railway network and promotes the implementation of further lines. On the European market, Swiss industrial companies compete successfully with big companies in order to get important orders for new railway vehicles.

As for local transport, Swiss cities plan and build regional transport systems near and across the borders. This is the case in Geneva with the French-Swiss link to Annemasse or, in southern Switzerland, with the plan of a transport region Tessin-Lombardy. In Basle, in the Lake of Constance region and in other border regions, the collaboration with European neighbours has the strategic goal of achieving a tri-national level in Basle (Germany, France, and Switzerland).

In Switzerland, more and more people are realising that transport systems need to become interconnected and compatible on an international level. As a result, Switzerland thoroughly collaborates with the EU in the field of technical innovations and, for instance, contributes to the success of the new traffic control system ETCS.

All these projects are part and parcel of the Swiss transport policy – a policy which has aimed for decades at shifting traffic from road to rail. Switzerland, a small country with a high population density, immediately feels the excesses of unlimited mobility. The road network, well developed between the 60s and 80s, exists beside a modern, extensive public transport network, which is to carry the future traffic growth. Railway modernisation is based on a programme: faster, easier and more often.

In the last 20 years, Switzerland has mainly invested in transit and supra-regional railway traffic: the travel time by train between the main Swiss cities has been reduced to less than one hour, ensuring thus optimal connections in the large stations. When passenger numbers and infrastructure allow it, regular services are offered every 30 minutes on long distance traffic.

As far as the European north-south transit is concerned, Switzerland is now building two new railway tunnels through the Alps. The 34km long base tunnel through the Loetschberg has been in operation since 2007 and the Gothard tunnel, which will be the longest in the world (57km), will be opened in less than 10 years.

Switzerland is already involved in a new development programme, which is of particular interest for agglomeration traffic. A special financing plan for infrastructure will support the efforts of the cities and the regions.

This transport policy, with billions of francs in investments in the past and coming years, would not be possible without the active support of the Swiss population. The development of public transport has been confirmed by several democratic votes. The people directly approved many large scale programmes and according to the population’s wish, the future extension of public transport is to be rapidly implemented. Consequently, the next measures are already being planned for the period beginning in 2020.

In no other European country is public transport used so often. At present, Switzerland already has a railway network which registers the biggest use ratio per capita in Europe, and the figures are continuing to grow. Last year, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB Ltd), the largest transport company in Switzerland, transported 7% more passengers and an increase of the same order has again been registered in the first semester of 2008. The punctuality of Swiss trains, tramways and buses is legendary.

The population wants a fine offer in ecological public transport and it is ready to invest in this mode. Authorities ensure that public transport can maintain and increase its quality. Public transport in Switzerland is a success story: the inconvenience of a small territory has become an advantage. The excellence of public transport is now a trump for Switzerland, an important location factor for tourism, commerce, industry and arts and crafts.

FOT tasks

The Federal Office of Transport (FOT) implements transport policy for Switzerland in the field of public transport as set by the people and by parliament. It deals with public transport in Switzerland and employs approximately 250 people in its six divisions (as at end of 2006) including: Monitoring, Infrastructure, Financing, Safety Technology, Business Administration and Organisation and Policies.

The FOT is committed to providing efficient, environmentally-compatible, safe and attractive public transport services for both people and goods. By improving the legal and organisational framework and infrastructure, the FOT ensures the continuous improvement of the quality, productivity and competitiveness of public transport.

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