Berne and Obwald refuse to fund Magic Pass public transport project

The cantons of Berne and Obwald have refused to fund a pilot project by the Magic Pass that offers skiers five free public transport trips this winter. While Vaud and Valais have committed 430,000 francs to the initiative, the two dissenting cantons have declined the cooperative’s request despite hosting partner stations such as Melchsee-Frutt (OW) and Gstaad (BE).

The pilot project aims to encourage skiing without cars by promoting train travel. Magic Pass officials hope the mobility offer will reach 2% of skier days next winter, representing approximately 100,000 public transport trips.

Legal and Competition Concerns

Authorities in Berne and Obwald justified their refusal by citing legal constraints and the potential to distort competition between tourist destinations. The Berne Office of Economy stated that some of its destinations are involved in two competing supra-regional pass offers, and providing exclusive support to the Magic Pass could favor one offer over another.

This is because several ski lifts in the Sarneraa valley and the destination of Engelberg are not partners of the Magic Pass.

Magic Pass Project Remains Viable Without Funding

Sébastien Travelletti, director of the Magic Pass, expressed disappointment over the decision. He stated that while the Magic Pass and ski lifts invest heavily in mountain accessibility, this responsibility should be shared more equitably with municipalities and cantons.

Despite the lack of public funding from Berne and Obwald, Travelletti indicated that the project is not compromised. He anticipates that the partner ski lifts within those two cantons may have to cover the resulting financial gap at the end of the season.