Clear Yes from the Swiss Council of States for Cargo sous terrain

The privately funded major project Cargo sous terrain is gaining momentum. On June 1, the transport vision passed its first hurdle in the Swiss Council of States with flying colors. Here is a summary of the latest news on the underground freight transport project and the reactions in the Swiss media.

Without a single dissenting voice, the Council of States supported the federal law on underground freight transport on June 1. “With this draft law, we aim to set another milestone in the transport history of our country,” opened Councilor Hans Wicki the discussion. The goodwill of the council members towards Cargo sous terrain was unmistakable. Councilor and President of the Transport Commission Stefan Engler admitted: “It is very rare that we can have a parliamentary discussion about such innovative projects.” And Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga noted that this legislative project arose because people came together to develop smart ideas and are willing to take risks. However, not only the visionary idea behind Cargo sous terrain was praised, but also its concrete progress. Councilor Pirmin Bischof emphasized that the project is so close to realization that it is no longer just a vision.

In addition to the positive overall tone, the small chamber also refined the framework conditions in the law to be more market-oriented during the detailed consultation. Proposals that would have disproportionately expanded the obligations of Cargo sous terrain and thereby caused unnecessary additional costs were rejected. Soon, the National Council’s Transport Commission will take up the law and prepare the draft for consideration in the large chamber. Further information can be found in the press release.

Enormous Media Response to the Council of States Decision

The decision of the Council of States has generated extensive media coverage. The Tagesschau from June 1 featured a detailed report on the private major project Cargo sous terrain, for which the Council of States is “quite enthusiastic” and which also makes the hearts of the traditionally sober and composed small chamber beat faster.

Already on the eve of the parliamentary debate, 10 vor 10 dedicated a detailed segment to the “bold tunnel vision.” In it, the Chairman of the Board, Peter Sutterlüti, explains why the law is absolutely necessary.

The decision was also reported in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. RTS accompanied Peter Sutterlüti and Daniel Wiener on the day of the debate in the Council of States. The report, including an interview with the President of Cargo sous terrain and various members of the Council of States, can be viewed here (in French). And Councilor Olivier Français, a member of the support committee, faced some critical questions regarding the project’s financing, the required securities, and the interplay of CST with rail freight transport in an interview with RTS (link, in French).

“Council of States sets the course for Cargo sous terrain,” titled the NZZ in its report, referencing the historical comparison made by Councilor Pirmin Bischof with the Spanish Brötli Railway built in 1847.

The Thuner Tagblatt also discusses the potential of CST to relieve traffic on the roads and the coordination in the logistics sector in the region already achieved through the project.

Photo: © Cargo sous Terrain