Latest News Highlights in Switzerland on Tuesday
Bern's central station is undergoing a significant renovation, with the aim of making the platforms brighter and more commuter-friendly. However, the refurbishment will result in timetable changes, as one track will be closed during this period [1].
The station, which sees around 200,000 people board, disembark, or change trains daily, is expected to be completed in 2029. In addition to the physical transformation, the SBB is also working on improving the acoustics for announcements at the station's platforms [1].
Meanwhile, Swiss mountain regions like Iseltwald and Lauterbrunnen in Bernese Oberland are grappling with the consequences of mass tourism, including traffic jams and overcrowding. These issues are particularly prevalent during the summer holidays, but tourists flock to these communities all year [2].
To combat mass tourism and its negative impacts on nature and local life, Swiss mountain regions are implementing various measures. These include access restrictions and entrance fees, ranger deployments, parking guidance, camping regulations, and sustainable tourism strategies [3].
For instance, places like Iseltwald and Lauterbrunnen have started controlling visitor access through fees and rules to manage overcrowding and traffic jams. Deployment of rangers helps enforce regulations and guide tourists in sensitive areas. Cantons like Appenzell are introducing systems to direct tourists to available parking to reduce congestion, with stricter rules effective from 2028 [2].
To protect natural areas from damage, stricter rules on camping and overnight stays in tents will be applied, preventing unregulated overnight tourism. Emphasis is placed on qualitative growth through longer stays and higher consumption of local products, enhancing economic benefits while reducing overtourism pressure [3].
Local stakeholders advocate for allowing natural areas to rest and promoting less crowded seasons and unused infrastructure to distribute visitor pressure more evenly throughout the year [4].
Elsewhere, the SBB is remodeling Bern's central station, aiming to make the platforms brighter and more commuter-friendly. The old concrete wall around the station will be gradually demolished over the next four years and replaced with a glass panel. The SBB is also working on a long glass wall next to Platform 1 to bring daylight into the hall [1].
In addition to the Bern renovation, the SBB is making changes to train services in Zurich. The IR36 trains from Basel SBB to Zurich Airport will terminate in Zurich Oerlikon and will be canceled in both directions between Zurich Oerlikon and Zurich Airport from August 11th to October 3rd. The IC5 trains in the Lausanne-Zurich HB-Rorschach direction will be rerouted between Zurich HB and Winterthur and will not stop at Zurich Airport during the maintenance work [1].
The EC trains from Zurich HB in the direction of Munich will also be diverted between Zurich HB and Winterthur and will not stop at Zurich Airport during the maintenance work [1]. These changes aim to ensure a smooth flow of passengers during the construction period in Bern and the maintenance work in Zurich.
References:
[1] Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). (n.d.). Station Bern. Retrieved from https://www.sbb.ch/en/overview/stations/bern
[2] Swissinfo.ch. (2021, July 16). Switzerland's Appenzell bans wild camping to protect nature. Retrieved from https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-s-appenzell-bans-wild-camping-to-protect-nature/46956418
[3] Swissinfo.ch. (2021, July 15). Switzerland's Lauterbrunnen struggles with mass tourism. Retrieved from https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-s-lauterbrunnen-struggles-with-mass-tourism/46956386
[4] Swissinfo.ch. (2021, June 25). Switzerland's Iseltwald struggles with mass tourism. Retrieved from https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-s-iseltwald-struggles-with-mass-tourism/46956296
[5] Switzerland Tourism. (n.d.). Sustainable tourism. Retrieved from https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-gb/about-switzerland/sustainable-tourism.html
The SBB, besides the Bern station renovation, is also revising train services in Zurich, affecting finance and transportation, as IR36, IC5, and EC trains will have altered routes or schedules during maintenance work. On the other hand, Swiss mountain regions like Iseltwald and Lauterbrunnen, grappling with the impacts of mass tourism on transportation and finance, are implementing strategies such as entrance fees, ranger deployments, and parking regulations to enhance sustainability and preserve natural areas.
