Politics · Switzerland · 2 days ago
Swiss parties and groups seek changes to transport expansion plan
Switzerland’s government has proposed Transport ’45, a plan that ranks road, rail and urban transport projects for development up to 2045.
It is the first proposal to plan and prioritize projects across these transport systems together.
Political parties and groups broadly welcome that approach, but disagree over how much funding should go to roads versus rail.
They also want costs controlled and enough money reserved to maintain existing infrastructure.
The Federal Audit Office has said key information is missing or outdated and that the value of some projects may be overstated.
The government did not follow the office’s call to suspend the plan, but parties and groups are asking it to make improvements.
The government’s next steps on those requests are not stated.
Switzerland’s parties, cantons and associations have called for changes to the proposed Verkehr '45 transport expansion plan.
The plan sets priorities for rail, road and urban transport projects through 2045 and brings them together in one proposal for the first time.
Most parties support planning and prioritising the different transport modes together, but disagree over the balance of investment between road and rail.
The Federal Audit Office has criticised gaps in the information used to rank projects, and groups have urged the government to address them.
Responses from cantons differ, with Zurich calling for some projects to proceed independently and Lucerne largely welcoming the plan.
- Who
- Swiss political parties, cantons and associations responded to the plan. The Federal Council is responsible for it.
- What
- They called for changes to Verkehr '45, a plan prioritising transport expansion projects.
- When
- The article was published on 9 October 2026. The Federal Audit Office called for the plan to be suspended in the summer.
- Where
- Switzerland.
- Why
- Respondents raised concerns about project priorities, the balance of road and rail spending, funding and the quality of information used to assess projects.
Supporters of greater rail investment
Supporters of greater road investment
Investment balance
Supporters of greater rail investment
The Greens and Social Democrats welcome the plan’s greater allocation of funds to rail.
Supporters of greater road investment
The Swiss People’s Party calls the balance an ideologically motivated disadvantage for road traffic; the Free Democrats want more balance between road and rail.
Infrastructure priorities
Supporters of greater rail investment
The VCS sharply criticises investment in motorway projects.
Supporters of greater road investment
The TCS warns that road infrastructure must not be neglected.
an ideologically motivated imbalance at the expense of road traffic
more balance between road and rail
The Federal Audit Office called for the project to be suspended until key issues were clarified.
SRF reported on responses from parties, cantons and associations calling for changes to Verkehr '45.
- Plan name
- Verkehr '45
- Planning horizon
- 2045
- Rail funding measure
- A slight increase in value-added tax for the Rail Infrastructure Fund, currently limited to 2030, would be made permanent under the Federal Council’s proposal.
- Zurich rail project
- The first stage of the Lucerne through station is among the planned rail projects.
- Road expansion
- Six lanes are planned on the A1 between Aarau East and the Birrfeld junction, and between Perly and Bernex.
Sources
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