Politics · Switzerland · 2 days ago
Swiss politicians clash over plans to expand roads and railways
Swiss Transport Minister Albert Rösti wants to expand roads and railways and support transport projects in urban areas through 2045.
The plan, called Verkehr ’45, has drawn criticism from political figures and transport groups.
A key dispute is whether it should include highway projects that voters rejected in November 2024.
Opponents say Switzerland should invest more in public transport and offer alternatives to short car trips.
Supporters argue that road expansion is needed to address traffic jams and say people should decide how they travel.
They also warn that rail expansion could bring high operating and maintenance costs.
The discussion also covered high fuel prices, with an industry representative calling for a temporary waiver of value-added tax on fuel and an opposing politician saying relief should depend on need.
The sources do not say what happens next with the plan.
Transport Minister Albert Rösti’s “Verkehr ’45” plan would expand roads and railways and promote transport projects in urban areas through 2045.
Politicians and transport groups debated the proposals on the Swiss television programme “Arena.”
The Swiss Transport Club’s co-president, Jelena Filipovic, criticized the inclusion of motorway projects that voters rejected in November 2024.
SVP parliamentarian Markus Schnyder argued that the government could bring individual projects back because voters had opposed the funding package, not the projects themselves.
SP vice-president David Roth called for more investment in public transport, while Schnyder defended people’s freedom to choose how they travel.
- Who
- Transport Minister Albert Rösti’s plans were debated by politicians and transport groups, including David Roth, Markus Schnyder, Jelena Filipovic and Peter Grünenfelder.
- What
- The debate focused on planned road and rail expansion through 2045, as well as high fuel prices.
- When
- The discussion aired on 9 October 2026. The plans cover projects through 2045.
- Where
- Switzerland; the debate took place on the television programme “Arena.
- Why
- The government’s plan proposes expanding roads and railways and supporting transport projects in urban areas.
Supporters of road expansion
Critics of road expansion
Motorway projects
Supporters of road expansion
Schnyder said it was legitimate to bring individual projects back because voters had rejected the funding package, not the projects themselves.
Critics of road expansion
Filipovic called including motorway projects rejected by voters a political affront.
Transport investment
Supporters of road expansion
Grünenfelder said neglecting roads ignored people’s daily realities and pointed to record traffic jams.
Critics of road expansion
Roth and Filipovic argued for investment in public transport and measures to reduce car use and congestion.
It is a political affront
They had nothing against the individual projects, but against the credit.
We must invest in public transport.
Every citizen should decide for themselves what they use the car for and when.
Voters rejected motorway expansion projects, according to Filipovic.
Politicians and transport groups debated Rösti’s road and rail expansion plans on “Arena.
The “Verkehr ’45” plan proposes transport projects for roads, railways and urban areas.
- Plan
- Verkehr ’45
- End date
- 2045
- Debate programme
- Arena
- Debate date
- 9 October 2026
- Previous vote
- Voters rejected motorway projects in November 2024
Sources
Related news
SVP lawmaker proposes using federal budget growth to fund army expansion
Switzerland considers auctioning wine import quotas to help local growers
Swiss farmers can draw more animal-feed additives from emergency reserves
Esther Friedli rules herself out of race to succeed Guy Parmelin
Swiss voters to decide on alternative marriage tax model in November
Aeschi backs at least two candidates for Parmelin’s successor
Hans-Peter Portmann will not seek re-election to National Council in 2027
Esther Friedli rules herself out of race to succeed Guy Parmelin
About 1,000 join unauthorized protest in Bern without major clashes
About 1,000 people join anti-capitalist demonstration in Bern
