101.7 FM IN GENEVA DAB+, CABLE & SATELLITE ACROSS SWITZERLAND
LISTEN ONLINE 
P O P U L A R
- alcohol
- army knives
- banks
- Basel
- Bern
- cannabis
- CH votes
- cheese
- children
- chocolate
- consumers
- crime
- cycling
- easyJet
- environment
- EU
- expats
- gay
- Geneva
- health insurance
- hiking
- jura
- language
- lausanne
- Olympics
- Polanski
- real estate
- skiing
- smoking
- Swiss franc (CHF)
- swiss watches
- tax
- tax.
- tax. banks
- ticino
- tourism
- trains
- wine
- workplace
- zurich
S U B S C R I B E
WRS stories about trains
Is Swiss rail tradition getting off track?
Tuesday, 2 April, 2013
Switzerland is a relatively small country, going up against big competitors abroad in industry and retail. The Swiss strategy so far has been to focus on high-quality niche products to stay relevant in the global economy. These exports have included precision tools, high-end watches and even the know-how for building quality public transit. But the rail industry association says it’s getting harder to find well-trained engineers here in Switzerland, which could make it harder for the Swiss rail tradition to be passed along. WRS’s Tony Ganzer reports:
Tuesday, 2 April, 2013
Switzerland is a relatively small country, going up against big competitors abroad in industry and retail. The Swiss strategy so far has been to focus on high-quality niche products to stay relevant in the global economy. These exports have included precision tools, high-end watches and even the know-how for building quality public transit. But the rail industry association says it’s getting harder to find well-trained engineers here in Switzerland, which could make it harder for the Swiss rail tradition to be passed along. WRS’s Tony Ganzer reports:
Is getting a seat on the train a right or a privilege?
Monday, 2 April, 2012
The official answer seems to be: a privilege. Standing-room-only trains are not uncommon—even in first class—during rush hour between major hubs. Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) officials say new trains with larger standing areas and more seats are on the way, but so are higher ticket prices. So your train ticket, which isn’t exactly cheap at current rates, doesn’t actually buy you a seat? Should it? WRS’s Alex Helmick takes the issue up with SBB spokesman Frédéric Revaz and Kurt Schreiber, president of Pro Bahn, the Swiss association of public transport users:
Monday, 2 April, 2012
The official answer seems to be: a privilege. Standing-room-only trains are not uncommon—even in first class—during rush hour between major hubs. Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) officials say new trains with larger standing areas and more seats are on the way, but so are higher ticket prices. So your train ticket, which isn’t exactly cheap at current rates, doesn’t actually buy you a seat? Should it? WRS’s Alex Helmick takes the issue up with SBB spokesman Frédéric Revaz and Kurt Schreiber, president of Pro Bahn, the Swiss association of public transport users:
Franco-Swiss commuter rail finally gets on track
Wednesday, 16 November, 2011
Geneva’s mammoth CEVA rail project is finally on the right tracks. After years of courtroom battles, construction on the commuter rail line is finally beginning. Trains will flow seamlessly from the Swiss rail network to the French border city of Annemasse and beyond and when the project is finished in 2017. Officials say CEVA is a key element in building a cross-border metropolis. As WRS’s Jordan Davis explains, it has been in the making for a century:
Wednesday, 16 November, 2011
Geneva’s mammoth CEVA rail project is finally on the right tracks. After years of courtroom battles, construction on the commuter rail line is finally beginning. Trains will flow seamlessly from the Swiss rail network to the French border city of Annemasse and beyond and when the project is finished in 2017. Officials say CEVA is a key element in building a cross-border metropolis. As WRS’s Jordan Davis explains, it has been in the making for a century:
Train travelers beware—luggage on the seat may cost you
Monday, 14 November, 2011
What happens if you run to catch a train without buying a ticket—or if you insist on keeping your luggage on the seat next to you? WRS’s Lucia Walton traveled from Lausanne to Geneva with Jean Philippe Schmidt from Swiss Federal Railways. He told her about all of the new changes and how they will hit you in the pocket if you’re not careful:
Monday, 14 November, 2011
What happens if you run to catch a train without buying a ticket—or if you insist on keeping your luggage on the seat next to you? WRS’s Lucia Walton traveled from Lausanne to Geneva with Jean Philippe Schmidt from Swiss Federal Railways. He told her about all of the new changes and how they will hit you in the pocket if you’re not careful:
Rail pass prices likely to climb to fund expansion
Thursday, 3 November, 2011
Everyone agrees that Switzerland’s rail system is bursting at the seams. But how do we pay for its expansion? The federal government unleashed a torrent of criticisms from a number of political fronts this year when it proposed passing on much of the cost to passengers. Yesterday it backtracked on that plan. But not enough for the criticism to die down. WRS’s political correspondent Jordan Davis reports:
Thursday, 3 November, 2011
Everyone agrees that Switzerland’s rail system is bursting at the seams. But how do we pay for its expansion? The federal government unleashed a torrent of criticisms from a number of political fronts this year when it proposed passing on much of the cost to passengers. Yesterday it backtracked on that plan. But not enough for the criticism to die down. WRS’s political correspondent Jordan Davis reports:
Can more trains solve autoroute traffic jams?
Monday, 26 September, 2011
Traffic on Swiss roads has shot up 40 percent in the last 10 years according to a Federal Roads Office report. Most of that increase affects highways and some sections have become notorious for traffic jams, like the A1 between Bern and Zurich, and between Geneva and Lausanne. While some see a solution in more and bigger roads, others say public transport is the way forward. WRS’s Lucas Chambers has this story:
Monday, 26 September, 2011
Traffic on Swiss roads has shot up 40 percent in the last 10 years according to a Federal Roads Office report. Most of that increase affects highways and some sections have become notorious for traffic jams, like the A1 between Bern and Zurich, and between Geneva and Lausanne. While some see a solution in more and bigger roads, others say public transport is the way forward. WRS’s Lucas Chambers has this story:
Buying tickets on trains to cost a lot more
Tuesday, 13 September, 2011
If you’re one of those travelers who’s always late, watch out—buying your ticket on the train is about to get a lot more expensive. Though it will still be possible, the added fee on fast trains will jump from 10 to 90 francs as of December 11 this year.
Tuesday, 13 September, 2011
If you’re one of those travelers who’s always late, watch out—buying your ticket on the train is about to get a lot more expensive. Though it will still be possible, the added fee on fast trains will jump from 10 to 90 francs as of December 11 this year.
Climbing and railway enthusiasts mark Jungfrau mountain milestones
Monday, 1 August, 2011
The Jungfrau mountain railway in the Bernese Oberland celebrates its 99th birthday on Monday as one of Switzerland’s most famous tourist attractions. The cogwheel train takes passengers through tunnels to Europe’s highest railway station amid spectacular snow-capped scenery. On Wednesday, locals will also be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the first ascent of the Jungfrau, the first 4,000-metre-plus peak to be climbed in the country. In the first of three reports, WRS’s Vincent Landon samples the spirit of the festivities after arriving by train in the mountain resort of Wengen:
Monday, 1 August, 2011
The Jungfrau mountain railway in the Bernese Oberland celebrates its 99th birthday on Monday as one of Switzerland’s most famous tourist attractions. The cogwheel train takes passengers through tunnels to Europe’s highest railway station amid spectacular snow-capped scenery. On Wednesday, locals will also be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the first ascent of the Jungfrau, the first 4,000-metre-plus peak to be climbed in the country. In the first of three reports, WRS’s Vincent Landon samples the spirit of the festivities after arriving by train in the mountain resort of Wengen:
Faster or more? Train debate rolls on
Wednesday, 26 January, 2011
Business people commuting between Bern and Zurich have about an hour-long stretch on the train, plus or minus 10 minutes depending on connections. But some engineers claim this high-power route between Switzerland’s banking and political hubs could take just 28 minutes—if the government would invest enough money. It seems the issue is really about voters and their priorities. WRS’s Tony Ganzer reports:
Wednesday, 26 January, 2011
Business people commuting between Bern and Zurich have about an hour-long stretch on the train, plus or minus 10 minutes depending on connections. But some engineers claim this high-power route between Switzerland’s banking and political hubs could take just 28 minutes—if the government would invest enough money. It seems the issue is really about voters and their priorities. WRS’s Tony Ganzer reports:
Demands for rail refunds pile up
Tuesday, 4 January, 2011
Delays and cancellations—this is not the image of Swiss trains many of us carry with us. This perceived paragon of efficiency received nearly 18,000 requests for refunds in the first 10 months of last year. And more are expected to come as a result of the poor weather in December. WRS’s Conor Lennon discusses the state of train travel with Swiss Federal Railways spokesperson, Frédéric Revaz and Kurt Schreiber, who is vice president for a rail users’ consumer group, Pro Bahn:
Tuesday, 4 January, 2011
Delays and cancellations—this is not the image of Swiss trains many of us carry with us. This perceived paragon of efficiency received nearly 18,000 requests for refunds in the first 10 months of last year. And more are expected to come as a result of the poor weather in December. WRS’s Conor Lennon discusses the state of train travel with Swiss Federal Railways spokesperson, Frédéric Revaz and Kurt Schreiber, who is vice president for a rail users’ consumer group, Pro Bahn:
Swiss inspiration for British rail pain
Monday, 27 December, 2010
This winter’s widespread disruption to Britain’s transport services has frustrated rail passengers. They are asking why Britain can’t invest as much in its rail infrastructure as other European countries—like Switzerland. A group of British railway enthusiasts dedicated to the study and appreciation of Swiss railways says this alpine country could indeed hold the answer to Britain’s transport problems. Nina-Maria Potts reports from London:
Monday, 27 December, 2010
This winter’s widespread disruption to Britain’s transport services has frustrated rail passengers. They are asking why Britain can’t invest as much in its rail infrastructure as other European countries—like Switzerland. A group of British railway enthusiasts dedicated to the study and appreciation of Swiss railways says this alpine country could indeed hold the answer to Britain’s transport problems. Nina-Maria Potts reports from London:
Gotthard: the final breakthrough
Friday, 15 October, 2010
Engineers and workers have busted through the remaining rock at the Gotthard Base Tunnel, making it the longest rail tunnel in the world when finished. Susan Flory gets the latest from Alex Helmick who was in the town of Sedrun:
Friday, 15 October, 2010
Engineers and workers have busted through the remaining rock at the Gotthard Base Tunnel, making it the longest rail tunnel in the world when finished. Susan Flory gets the latest from Alex Helmick who was in the town of Sedrun:
It's roads vs. railways in battle over fuel tax
Tuesday, 7 September, 2010
Tuesday, 7 September, 2010
Should the government take more of the money it makes from taxing fuel and pump it into the public transport network? That’s what the members of the transport and environment organization (ATE) want—and they say they’ve got the support of more than 140,000 people.
Under the current structure, 25 percent of fuel tax goes to public transport. The rest is channeled back into the road network. ATE wants that proportion to be 50-50.
Campaigners say that would put CHF 800 million a year towards maintaining the high standards on the country’s railways, and allow Swiss Federal Railways to greenlight delayed projects such as the long-awaited third rail on the congested stretch between Geneva and Lausanne or adding new tram routes in cities.
But not everyone agrees.
Critics argue that taking tax revenue money away from the road network would lead to higher fuel prices and more traffic jams if maintenance is starved of funds. And some have argued that a well-maintained road infrastructure is crucial for the country’s manufacturing sectors.
It’s a debate that’s likely to rumble on.
WRS’s Conor Lennon called on one of the initiative’s staunch supporters, Social Democrat MP Roger Nordmann, to take a look at some of these questions:
