Public transportation Costs for rail expansion up to 2035 significantly higher than previously planned

The expansion of the rail infrastructure up to 2035 will be significantly more expensive than previously planned. In addition to the CHF 16.4 billion already approved by Parliament, a further CHF 14 billion will be incurred.

The majority of the additional costs, amounting to CHF 8.5 billion, will be incurred for extensive expansions such as station conversions, new tracks and stabling facilities, as announced by the Federal Office of Transport (FOT) on Thursday.

A further CHF 5.5 billion will be needed for projects that have already been decided on, such as the Brütten tunnel on the Zurich - Winterthur line, which will be more expensive. Additional investments are also needed, for example to ensure that larger railroad stations remain safe despite higher passenger volumes.

Additional costs necessary for stable operations

The measures are necessary to ensure that the major expansion of services can be implemented and operated in a stable manner, explained the FOT. For example, the rail expansion step 2035 will enable new quarter and half-hourly services on around 60 routes and increase the number of seats by around 20 percent.

A nationwide express network for time-critical goods such as parcels or food is also planned for freight transport. According to the FOT, all of this is necessary in order to cope with the growing demand for mobility and transportation.

Possible savings are being examined

The additional costs of CHF 14 billion over a period of twenty years were calculated by the FOT and SBB at a technical level. The revised 2035 service concept is now being reviewed internally and externally. This will also involve examining potential savings. This is also because the financing of the additional costs via the rail infrastructure fund is currently not secured, especially as the maintenance of the existing network has legal priority.

In a statement, the Ouestrail transport association for western Switzerland expressed its deep concern about the high additional costs. They would jeopardize the future of rail transport in French-speaking Switzerland. Ouestrail is therefore calling for a counter-expertise to be drawn up, a review of the construction standards on which the additional costs are based and a thorough analysis of the processes.

SDA