Urban alliance only partially satisfied with draft timetable
Published: Tuesday, May 21st 2024, 11:40
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The Cities Alliance is only partially satisfied with SBB's draft 2025 timetable. One particular thorn in its side is the deterioration for travelers on the southern Jura line due to construction projects in western Switzerland.
The Cities Alliance wrote on Tuesday that it welcomes the dialog between the Transport Conference of Western Switzerland (CTSO), the affected cities, SBB and the federal government. However, it is necessary to improve the "construction site timetable" quickly.
The talks between the cantons and SBB have resulted in six direct connections to and from Geneva without the need to change trains. However, cities between Neuchâtel and Zurich will not benefit from this: "Until the Ligerz tunnel opens in 2030, travelers from Biel, Grenchen, Solothurn, Olten and Aarau will no longer benefit from direct trains to and from Geneva." Anyone wishing to travel from Moutier, Delsberg or Basel to Geneva will have to change trains twice - in Biel and Renens VD - by December 2026.
In addition to more direct connections, the city alliance is also calling for passengers who have to change trains in Renens to be able to do so without changing platforms.
According to SBB, the new timetable represents the biggest change in French-speaking Switzerland since Rail 2000. The plans had already caused debate when they were announced a year ago. The railroad company and the CTSO held a special media conference in Fribourg on Tuesday to present the draft timetable. They argued that the ultimate aim was to improve rail services by expanding the rail infrastructure.
The cantons of Bern, Fribourg, Vaud, Valais, Neuchâtel, Geneva and Jura are represented in the CTSO.
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