The government of the canton of Ticino is strongly opposed to tolls for the Gotthard road tunnel, reported RTS this week. The idea of charging a toll for the highly congested Gotthard tunnel linking Ticino, which lies south of the Alps, to the rest of Switzerland, has been discussed for some time. In a public […]
20 Swiss towns favour 30 km/h speed limits
This week, a Swiss organisation focused on urban transport with 20 members, announced its support for city-wide 30 km/h speed limits, a limit significantly lower than the current standard limit of 50 km/h in urban areas. On 16 May 2023, the organisation, which brings together 20 towns, ranging from Zurich (the largest) to Chiasso (the […]
Switzerland needs to be able to recharge 2.8 million vehicles
This week, the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) published its predictions and ambitions for electric transport infrastructure. By 2035, SFOE expects more than half of all passenger cars in Switzerland to be electric. This means the country has around 12 years to complete its charging infrastructure, it said. The SFOE study estimates there will […]
Federal Council supports plan to widen Switzerland’s main motorway
The week, the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive. decided the A1, the nation’s longest motorway should be at least three lanes in both directions along its entire length, reported RTS. The Federal Council’s decision was in response to a proposal by Erich Hess, a parliamentarian from the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP). The motion was signed by […]
Switzerland to tax electric vehicles from 2024
Vehicles imported into Switzerland are subject to a 4% tax, with the exception of electric vehicles that attract none. This week, the government decided to end the exception from the beginning of next year. The import tax, along with fuel and other taxes, is used to build and maintain roads. Given current federal budget pressures, […]
New Swiss driving licence from mid-April
From 15 April 2023, Switzerland will begin issuing a new higher security driving licence. The new licence will contain a number of improvements. Like current Swiss identity cards it will be made of polycarbonate. In addition, it will include security features embossed on the surface and different colours and information displays depending on the viewing […]
New low cost passes for under 25s on Swiss trains
On 28 March 2023, SwissPass launched three new train passes for those under 25. The first is the “AG Night Pass”. This costs CHF 99 a year and allows the holder to make unlimited journeys on the Swiss Rail network after 7 pm. It is also valid on trains before 7 am at the weekends. […]
New pollution rules could force 20% of diesel cars off Swiss roads
From 1 January 2023, diesel vehicles must be tested to see if their particulate filters are working. As a result an estimated 20% of the diesel vehicles on Switzerland’s roads may not pass roadworthiness tests, reported RTS. Vehicles that fail these tests can no longer legally by driven. According to Patrick Schnelli, an expert in […]
Sharp rise is serious road accidents in Switzerland
Last year, 241 people lost their lives in a traffic accident and 4,002 people were seriously injured in Switzerland, according to the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). The number of deaths was 20.5% higher than the year before and the number seriously injured was 55% higher than the previous 5-year average. The marked increase in the […]
Sanctions reduced for overtaking in right lane in Switzerland
Passing in the right on multiple-lane roads is illegal in Switzerland and the penalties for those caught are severe. However, confusion abounds when it comes to the application of the rule. As more cases are challenged in court the definition of what is acceptable and the penalties evolve. This week, another case concluded setting a […]
