French-speaking towns face the challenge of the SBB 2025 timetable
Four municipalities in Western Switzerland are voicing their dissatisfaction with the announced revisions to the rail timetable for 2025. The changes, recently unveiled, would mean the elimination for a decade of the direct line linking the Jura Arc region to the city of Geneva.
Brenda Tuosto, mayor of Yverdon-les-Bains, revealed on Sunday, based on statements made in the newspaper Le Matin DimancheYverdon-les-Bains, Neuchâtel, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Geneva are all preparing to voice their joint opposition to the project on Monday, believing it to be particularly detrimental to regional connections.
Fears expressed by opponents
- Risks of a multi-speed rail service.
- Reduced attractiveness of the line in question and possible migration of passengers to road transport.
- Call for a reassessment of the announced rail agenda.
Call for Dialogue
The municipalities recognize the difficulties involved in planning the new rail timetables, in view of the many infrastructure works in progress. However, they are calling for multi-stakeholder discussions to discover alternatives that will benefit all concerned.
Requested Modifications
The signatories hope to influence the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), the Federal Office of Transport and the cantonal governments to consider other viable options. A consensus has been reached on redesigning timetables to enhance train reliability while facilitating essential maintenance work.
Scheduled for December 15, 2024, this new timetable includes extensions on most routes, and transforms Renens station into a central transfer point. Despite an increase in frequency between the Jura Arc and Geneva, the changeover at Renens is unavoidable, with a few exceptions during peak hours. At present, it is possible to travel from Neuchâtel to Geneva in 1h09 non-stop, or in 1h36 with a change at Lausanne.
The announcement of the revised SBB 2025 timetable has met with a negative response in some French-speaking cities, which are concerned about the potential repercussions on mobility and the local economy. They are now calling for concerted action to ensure a satisfactory rail future for users in Western Switzerland.
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