Transport Minister Simonetta Sommaruga has announced measures to speed up a shift of goods traffic from Swiss roads to rail.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/urs
The proposals include price reductions for cargo trains and higher fees for older and high-polluting trucks.
Sommaruga was speaking at an anniversary event on Saturday of the Alpine Initiative groupExternal link, which was founded 30 years ago. It aims to protect the Alpine region from the negative effects of transit traffic through Switzerland.
The association was the driving force behind a people’s initiative which was accepted in a nationwide vote, creating a political upset in 1994.
However, environmental groups have criticised that implementation of the initiative has been slow and the target of 650,000 annual transits by lorries has not been achieved.
The association has called for efforts to further reduce CO2 emissions by banning diesel lorries crossing the Alps as of 2035.
However, the lobby group for the road transport sectorExternal link has dismissed attempts to tighten environmental regulations. It said such demands were unrealistic. Instead the lobby group called on the governments in neighbouring Germany and Italy to push ahead plans to improve their railway lines.
More
More
Has Alpine rail transport come far enough?
This content was published on
The Alpine Initiative aimed to shift the transport of goods through the Alps from road to rail. Where do things stand, 25 years on?
This content was published on
The earth shook near Mürren in the Bernese Oberland on Monday afternoon with a magnitude of around 4.2 on the Richter scale.
Public transport in Geneva faces calls for overhaul
This content was published on
Public transport services in Greater Geneva must better meet needs. The associations Transports et environnement (ATE) and Rail Dauphiné Savoie Léman (ARDSL) have drawn up a review of the situation, calling in particular for the Leman Express timetable to be extended.
Swiss politician who shot at baby Jesus risks fine
This content was published on
The Zurich public prosecutor's office has brought charges against Zurich city parliamentarian Sanija Ameti for disturbing religious freedom. Ameti had shot at a picture of Jesus and Mary with an air pistol.
This content was published on
The French-Swiss artist Saype has created a new giant painting on the summit of the Grand Chamossaire above Villars-sur-Ollon VD. The 2500 square metre work depicts a boy with a rucksack on his shoulders.
This content was published on
According to "Schweizer Illustrierte", Swiss actor Carlos Leal is returning to Switzerland - after 15 years in Los Angeles. "It's become loud there, megalomaniacal and arrogant," he said in the online edition of the magazine.
This content was published on
A coin collector has filed a criminal complaint with the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland against Swissmint, the federal mint, for fraud in connection with the sale of the limited-edition 100-franc gold Vreneli.
Museum to open devoted to Swiss ski legend Vreni Schneider
This content was published on
Vreni Schneider is to have a museum in the centre of her home village of Elm. The legendary Swiss ski racer has numerous memorabilia at home, which she is now releasing and exhibiting.
This content was published on
A shooting range in Wittenbach, northeastern Switzerland, was broken into on Sunday night. The unknown perpetrators stole several antique weapons.
Euro 2025: most of crowd at Germany-France match were women
This content was published on
For the first time, the majority of the crowd at a football match in Basel's St. Jakob-Park – Saturday's European Championship quarterfinal – was female.
Pilots’ union seeks to end deal with SWISS over working conditions
This content was published on
The Aeropers pilots’ union is expected to end its collective labour agreement with SWISS, as it pushes for better working conditions for its members.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
After 20 years, Alpine truck traffic still not on track
This content was published on
On that night of February 20, 1994, then-transport minister Adolf Ogi must have had trouble getting to sleep. The nation’s voters had just accepted the “Alpine Initiative”. The “yes” side had won with 51.9% of the votes and 19 cantons out of 26, and the popular Swiss People’s Party politician had just acquired the dubious distinction,…
This content was published on
The findings could add more fuel to demands from the Alpine InitiativeExternal link group to reduce the number of trucks travelling through Switzerland. The Swiss authorities are already struggling to fulfil the requirements of a 1994 public vote to restrict HGV traffic to 650,000 crossings of the Alps each year. The aim of the popular…
Alpine nations struggle to confront climate change together
This content was published on
Rising temperatures will have a profound effect on the Alps. Yet more cooperation is needed to address climate change in this fragile region.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.