Federal capital subsidy to SBB up for discussion again
Published: Wednesday, Sep 11th 2024, 09:50
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The federal government's capital subsidy for SBB is once again up for discussion. Because the Council of States did not release the spending brake in the first round of consultations on the debt reduction bill, it was able to decide once again on the CHF 1.15 billion initially approved. It took advantage of this to propose a cut.
The one-off capital subsidy is intended to help SBB cope with the consequences of the loss of revenue in long-distance transport during the coronavirus pandemic in the years 2020 to 2022. Parliament had requested this in a motion. The Federal Council requested CHF 1.15 billion, and both chambers initially approved the amount.
However, in the first round of deliberations in the Council of States in the summer session, a majority of those present voted in favor of releasing the spending brake, but the qualified majority of 24 votes was not achieved. As a result, the National Council stuck to the CHF 1.15 billion.
However, the Council of States used the second round on Wednesday to make a cut. Without opposition, it approved the amount of CHF 850 million - and then released the spending brake.
Opportunity for compromise
The SBB had recovered more quickly from the crisis, while the financial situation at federal level was becoming more critical, said Marianne Maret (center/VS), President of the Transport Committee (KVF-S), on the unanimous proposal of the committee. Instead of CHF 1.15 billion to cover the losses, the KVF-S requested CHF 850 million as a compromise.
This corresponds to SBB's contribution margins in long-distance transport in the three years of the pandemic, said Maret. Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter agreed. Now the National Council has to decide. The councillors had requested the capital subsidy from the federal government. Its amount was controversial from the outset.
Difference in loans
Another controversial issue is a provision added to the Swiss Federal Railways Act regarding federal loans to SBB. The Federal Council wanted SBB to have to switch from treasury loans to federal budget loans once a certain level of debt had been reached. This would make the funds subject to the debt brake.
The National Council was against this because it feared that this regulation would result in loans being granted at the expense of other federal tasks. The Council of States then set an upper limit for treasury loans - again as a compromise - and it wants to be more flexible than the Federal Council in setting this upper limit. It stuck to this decision.
The bill also includes an increase in the reserves of the Rail Infrastructure Fund (BIF). It is envisaged that the maximum share of two thirds of the net income from the performance-related heavy vehicle charge (HVC) will flow into the fund if its reserves do not amount to at least CHF 300 million.
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