In the summer session from 30 May to 16 June 2023, various sector-relevant business was discussed. The results are largely in line with our expectations. However, we regret the missed opportunity to link the proposal for the agglomeration programme with the expansion of the national road network in order to further develop projects and transport modes as an overall system.
That’s what it’s all about:
- More financial means for the rolling road (Rola), we demand quality control.
- Yes to simplified approval of rolling stock for international rail traffic
- Yes to modernisation and expansion of the Swiss national road network
- Yes to the Agglomeration Transport Programme – regrettably without a link to the expansion of the national road network
- Interpellation on the renationalisation of SBB Cargo
Accompanied combined transport (Rolling Road, Rola):
On 1.6.2023, the Council of States dealt with the Federal Council’s dispatch of 30 September 2022 on the amendment of the Freight Traffic Transfer Act and on a federal resolution on a payment framework for the promotion of accompanied combined transport (Federal Council business 22.064). Following the National Council, the Council of States has now also decided to support the “Rolling Highway” (Rola) until the end of 2028 instead of only until 2026 as proposed by the Federal Council. The Confederation can provide a total of CHF 106 million for this support between 2024 and 2028.
With regard to the 2023 modal shift report, the VAP recalls its still outstanding demands:
- Technology-neutral promotion of transports, especially in selected regions with volume potential.
- Quality control also for conventional transports
We consider the one-sided promotion and quality control only in UCT as a missed opportunity. The potential of conventional transport should also be fully exploited – with appropriate application of the modal shift measures, i.e. financial support and quality control.
Amendment of the Railway Act within the framework of the 4th EU Railway Package:
On 13.6.23, the Council of States approved bill 23.024, according to which the European Railway Agency (ERA) is to be responsible for the approval of rolling stock in international rail traffic. Railway companies should no longer have to go through separate approval procedures when introducing new trains in several countries. The Federal Council is now seeking the permanent adoption of this EU solution, which will require an amendment to the overland transport agreement with the EU. The business will now be submitted to the National Council. The VAP supported this draft amendment (see blog article: Revision of the railways act guarantees access to the EU railway network), as it allows for further steps towards harmonisation of regulations in railway operations and facilitates the adoption of this package in the land transport agreement.
Payment framework for national roads 2024–2027 and expansion step 2023:
The Federal Council is planning to modernise and expand the Swiss national roads network with a budget of around CHF 12 billion. Of this, around CHF 8 billion is earmarked for operation and maintenance, while CHF 4 billion is to be allocated to special expansion projects. We at the VAP support this bill and emphasise the importance of a sustainable transport infrastructure for multimodality and modal shift. On 30.5.2023, the National Council decided to allocate as much as CHF 5.3 billion to expansion projects instead of the CHF 4.4 billion requested by the Federal Council. In addition to the five projects included in the federal decree, the National Council considers the extension of the A1 on Lake Geneva to be equally urgent. The Council of States will vote on the bill next.
Commitment credits for agglomeration transport from 2024:
The National Council approved contributions of over CHF 1.6 billion for the new agglomeration transport programmes. A slight increase was made for the Moscia-Acapulco road tunnel in Ticino. We support this federal decision, which is intended to promote transport infrastructure projects in Switzerland’s conurbations in order to create a more efficient and sustainable transport system.
Regrettably, however, NR Wasserfallen’s minority motion was rejected. This called for the bill on the proposal for the agglomeration programme with the expansion of the national road network in order to consider projects and transport modes as an overall system. This should prevent projects and modes of transport from being played off against each other. We consider this a missed opportunity. In the event of a referendum, we will oppose it, in the interest of the country’s security of supply.
See also our commentary on LinkedIn: Billions approved for agglomeration transport programmes: National Council misses chance for holistic transport system
SBB Cargo back in the lap of the state: What’s the point?
With his interpellation «SBB Cargo zurück im Schoss des Staates. Was soll das?» (SBB Cargo back in the lap of the state. What’s the point?), NR Christian Wasserfallen FDP/BE is asking the Federal Council for an assessment of the SBB Group’s decision to take over 100% of the share capital of SBB Cargo and to place SBB Cargo directly under the management of the Group. This unilateral change in the market and power structure is detrimental to the portents of the pending reform of the framework conditions for Swiss freight transport. The VAP welcomes the questions put to the Federal Council.
