National Council wants to spend 16.4 billion on rail infrastructure
Published: Monday, Sep 23rd 2024, 19:16
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The National Council wants to spend CHF 16.4 billion on rail infrastructure between 2025 and 2028. It followed the Federal Council in discussing the matter on Monday. It rejected a proposal to increase the amount by CHF 500 million.
In the overall vote, the National Council adopted the federal resolution by 192 votes to 3 with no abstentions. The matter will now go to the Council of States.
The funds will not only be used to maintain the infrastructure, but also to finance the operation and maintenance of the railroad infrastructure. Compared to the current period, the Federal Council's dispatch provides for an increase of around two billion francs.
"Unlawful situation"
A minority of the National Council's Transport Committee, made up of representatives from the center, SP and Greens, wanted to increase the amount by CHF 500 million. However, the corresponding motion was rejected by 105 votes to 88 with two abstentions.
A look abroad shows that Switzerland would do well to prioritize maintenance over rail expansion, said minority spokesperson Martin Candinas (centre/GR). He also pointed out that the higher amount could also speed up the implementation of barrier-free public transport.
Both Philipp Kutter (center/ZH) and Islam Alijaj (SP/ZH) pointed out that Switzerland is currently in an unlawful situation with regard to accessibility. Both politicians use a wheelchair.
Reduction request withdrawn
An SVP minority originally wanted to abolish the planned operating payments to infrastructure operators. This would have meant a reduction of CHF 2.6 billion. However, this minority withdrew its proposal during the debate.
Christian Imark (SVP/SO) criticized that it appeared that very high returns could be achieved at central locations for railroad companies. However, as soon as this is not possible at one location, the taxpayer has to step in.
In principle, the bill was not very controversial. "Larger facilities require more funding and denser timetables mean greater wear and tear," said Felix Wettstein (Greens/SO) on behalf of the Finance Committee. This committee had also discussed the bill in advance, as had the Transport Committee.
However, Barbara Schaffner (GLP/ZH) called for cost savings in infrastructure projects. More tolerance was needed for "imperfections". Matthias Jauslin (FDP/AG) also emphasized that his group expects funds to be used economically.
Delphine Klopfenstein Broggini (Greens/GE) argued that we are already paying the price for a lack of investment in the past. This mistake should not be repeated.
In Germany, the railroads as a whole are now being called into question because people no longer trust them as a means of transportation, said Kutter on behalf of the Center Group.
Money for relocation
The National Council also had to decide on two other federal resolutions. Here, the upper chamber followed the Federal Council by a large majority, and these will also go to the Council of States.
The bill includes a commitment credit of CHF 185 million for investment contributions to private freight transport facilities in the years 2025 to 2028.
In this way, the Federal Council intends to continue to promote freight transport by rail and the transfer of freight traffic through the Alps from road to rail. This will be financed with revenue from the mineral oil tax and other earmarked funds. An SVP minority in the Transport Committee unsuccessfully requested that the second federal decree not be adopted.
Yvan Pahud (SVP/VD) was bothered, among other things, by the fact that money from the mineral oil tax was being used for rail instead of road transport.
Secondly, the existing framework credit for investment contributions to private freight transportation facilities is to be extended by one year. The reason for this is that major projects that were planned when the credit was set have been delayed.
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