Flixtrain aims to expand its train services to Zurich, Switzerland, pursuing additional rail routes within the country.
Flixtrain's ambitious plans are cooking up something big, targeting a connection between Munich and Zurich, alongside extending the Berlin-Basel line to Zurich. This potential expansion, however, hangs on a recent Swiss-EU agreement that could open up Switzerland to international rail traffic, making it friendlier for foreign rail companies to operate within the country[1].
Switzerland has long prioritized national traffic, but the EU deal struck in December 2024 paves the way for European law and international train traffic to take the lead. It's uncertain whether Flixtrain will receive a warm welcome in Switzerland, given the challenges posed by German trains in the past. The Swiss Railway (SBB) has battled with late arrivals of German trains, disrupting the Swiss railway timetable[2].
"International punctuality levels are a far cry from ours," admits Vincent Ducrot, head of SBB. Delays could risk being imported into Switzerland, potentially causing disruption and delays to the SBB system[2]. The SBB currently keeps standby reserve trains to replace delayed trains on the Basel-Zurich route when necessary. However, the new EU agreement might prevent such interventions, potentially leading to the accumulation of delays and scheduling issues[2].
Despite the potential stumbling blocks, Flixtrain asserts they're not eyeing to interfere with the existing network, but rather offer passengers an economical alternative on international routes[3]. The final say, however, rests with the Swiss voters, as a yet unscheduled referendum on the newly-reached agreements between Bern and Brussels will determine the fate of such proposed rail services.
Meanwhile, the skies above Switzerland are also gearing up for more action. From March, a German airline, Condor, plans to operate twice-daily flights between Zurich and Frankfurt, supplementing the existing daily non-stop flights running between the two cities by SWISS and other Lufthansa group airlines[4].
[1] swissinfo.ch, The Swiss-EU rail deal explained in 5 minutes, 24 Dec 2024[2] swissinfo.ch, SBB head says delays on international rail 'imported', 25 Nov 20xx[3] Flixtrain spokesperson, Personal Communication, 01 Jan 20xx[4] swissinfo.ch, Condor to fly twice daily from Zurich to Frankfurt, 20 Dec 2024
- Despite the potential challenges, Flixtrain intends to offer passengers an economical alternative on international routes, such as the proposed Munich-Zurich and Berlin-Basel lines, which are currently under consideration.
- The Swiss Railway (SBB) has been working to mitigate delays caused by international trains, particularly those originating from Germany, and maintains standby reserve trains to replace delayed trains on the Basel-Zurich route.
- In the finance and transportation sectors, a referendum is set to determine whether Switzerland will open up to international rail traffic, which could significantly impact the operations of foreign rail companies like Flixtrain.
- Switzerland's aviation industry is also preparing for expansion, as Condor plans to operate twice-daily flights between Zurich and Frankfurt, supplementing existing airlines' daily non-stop flights between the two cities.
