Government Federal Council wants to invest 3.5 billion in regional transport

The federal government wants to support public transport in the regions with almost CHF 3.5 billion from 2026 to 2028. This is an average of 1.7 percent more per year than before. The additional money will go towards rolling stock and the further expansion of services.

The plans submitted for consultation by the Federal Council on Wednesday are intended to benefit the canton of Jura, for example, as well as the new Hochrhein-Bodensee-Express and several regions by increasing the frequency of services: Liestal-Basel, Lucerne-Engelberg, Urseren-Surselva and Oberalp Pass as well as the Regionalps rail network in Valais.

There will also be more boat connections between Lausanne and Thonon-les-Bains (F). The Federal Council also wants to use the money to promote energy transition projects.

Ticket and season ticket revenues only cover about half of the costs of regional railroads, buses, boats and cable cars. The rest is covered equally by the federal government and the cantons. Last year, the federal government paid CHF 1.16 billion to a total of 1587 lines operated by 111 transport companies.