Train connection proposal between Switzerland and Sweden sparks debates among critics
Switzerland Plans to Expand International Train Network, but Controversy Surrounds Night Train Subsidies
Switzerland is set to expand its international rail connections, with plans for direct trains to cities such as Hamburg, Amsterdam, and Vienna using Nightjet trains. However, the allocation of funds for a new night train service from Basel to Malmö has sparked controversy due to high costs and political disagreements.
The Swiss government has allocated 47 million francs to the Basel to Malmö route, with each train on this line estimated to cost approximately 30,000 francs. This high subsidy amount is due to expensive operating costs, including rolling stock maintenance, personnel, and cleaning of sleeping and couchette carriages.
Originally, the federal government had planned to allocate 30 million francs per year for night trains, but this was later reduced to 10 million francs per year by Parliament. This leaves only 60 million francs (versus 180 million originally set aside) to be spent on the international train network over the next six years.
The controversy surrounding the allocation of funds for the new night train service centers on the high cost to taxpayers and the political disagreement over the size of government subsidies. Some view the subsidies as excessive relative to the benefits, especially given the already reduced subsidy budget compared to initial plans.
Despite the political controversy, the Swiss Federal Office of Transport prioritizes the new route for subsidies to maintain and expand international sustainable travel options and to improve carbon footprints.
Between Switzerland and France, a direct train from Lausanne (via Geneva) will run to Marseille seasonally from April to October. Starting in April 2026, three night trains per week should run between Basel and Malmö, via Copenhagen.
In addition, the summer train to Genoa will now run to La Spezia, and the future of the new night train service from Basel to Malmö depends on the approval of the Parliament. The Parliament must approve the funding for the new night train service every December as part of the federal budget debate.
| Aspect | Details | |-----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Total subsidy | CHF 47 million until 2030 | | Subsidy per journey | Approx. CHF 30,000 | | Major cost drivers | Rolling stock maintenance (~45%), personnel (~14%), cleaning and stabling (~14%) | | Political issue | Debate over whether the subsidies justify the expense against benefits, with government cuts from original plans | | Purpose | Promote sustainable international travel and carbon footprint improvements |
The new 2026 timetable offers more comfort for night train passengers, using modern Nightjet trains with mini cabins, private toilets, and showers. However, the future of this service remains uncertain, as the Parliament must approve the funding each year, and some question whether the subsidies are justified given the high costs.
The controversy surrounding the funding for the new night train service from Basel to Malmö persists, as critics debate its justification given the high costs and the reduced subsidy budget compared to initial plans. Significant expenses in the finance sector include rolling stock maintenance, personnel costs, and the upkeep of sleeping and couchette carriages in the transportation industry.
