On 29 October 2022, Switzerland ran the longest passenger train in the world from Preda to Alvaneu in the mountainous canton of Graubunden in eastern Switzerland, reported RTS. The train, made up of 100 carriages and measuring close to 2 km long (1,910 metres), made the 25 km journey in around 45 minutes. The train, […]
New Swiss train pass coming in 2023
After being hit hard by the pandemic, Swiss Rail is looking for ways to encourage greater use of its network. This week it announced a new kind of pass that should be available towards the end of 2023, reported 20 Minutes. The “Public transport credit” pass or “Credit TP” pass will allow travellers to buy […]
Swiss fines for face covering reduced to 1,000 francs
On 7 March 2021, a vote to ban face covering at a federal level was accepted by 51.2% of Swiss voters. Since then the government has been working on implementing the decision. This week it presented the details. After the latest consultation on the subject the Federal Council decided on Wednesday on a maximum fine of CHF 1,000 instead of […]
Covid: free booster shots available from 10 October in Switzerland
From 10 October 2022, booster vaccine shots against the SARS-CoV-2 virus will be available free of charge across Switzerland. The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) is recommending everyone 16 and over get a booster shot. A key aim of the vaccination programme is to reduce the load on hospitals over the autumn flu season, […]
Pilots at SWISS threaten to strike despite offer of extra 60 million francs
Pilots at the airline SWISS could strike from 17 October 2022 if their demands are not met, reported RTS. Pilots at the airline are remunerated under a collective labour agreement. The airline recently presented an offer CHF 60 million higher than their orignal offer. However, on 16 September 2022, Aeropers, a union representing the pilots, […]
Swiss government opens door to car sharing fast lane
This week, Switzerland’s federal government opened the door to faster car sharing lanes from 1 February 2023, reported RTS. Federal government amendments to Switzerland’s road sign ordinance to include car sharing signs mean cantons and cities will soon be able to introduce car sharing lanes. Car sharing, or pooling, encourages car sharing by allowing vehicles […]
Federal court decision could end plans for free public transport across Switzerland
A decision by the government of the canton of Fribourg to declare free public transport illegal is being challenged at Switzerland’s Federal Tribunal. A decision by Switzerland’s top court in line with Fribourg’s government could impact plans for free public transport in other Swiss cantons. Switzerland’s constitution appears to exclude the possibility of free public […]
Swiss ski resorts may have to close lifts to save electricity this winter
This coming winter, Swiss ski resorts may be required to cut services to save electricity, reported RTS. Ski lifts and snow making equipment consume the same amount of electricity as 30,000 to 40,000 Swiss households do across a year. It has been suggested that Switzerland’s federal government may require lift operators to cut electricity usage […]
Swiss plan to register air passenger details sparks criticism
Switzerland’s federal government wants to create a database containing the personal details of air passengers to counter terrorism and crime, reported RTS. However, the project has drawn serious criticism. After the terrorist attack in the US on 11 September 2001, America’s federal government demanded access to passenger data. Destination, name, passport number, birth date and […]
How important is the “CH” sticker on Swiss cars abroad?
The “CH” sticker that Swiss drivers must legally put on their vehicles before entering another country is required under the 1968 international convention on road traffic. Under the convention, any vehicle driven outside its home territory must display country initials made up of one to three latin characters. Most European plates incorporate the required identifying […]
