Basel-Malmö Night Train Faces Cancellation as Swiss Parliament Debates Funding
Bern, Switzerland – A new Basel-Malmö night train route is at risk of being cancelled before its launch due to a political dispute over federal subsidies, perhaps undermining Switzerland’s climate goals. The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) began selling tickets for the route, slated to begin running later this year, but its future hinges on a parliamentary decision regarding a 10 million Swiss franc annual contribution.
The controversy pits proponents of enduring travel against fiscal conservatives who question subsidizing leisure travel. National Councilor Yvan Pahud (UDC/VD) criticized the potential expenditure of 100-200 francs per ticket, arguing taxpayer money shouldn’t fund a shift from air to rail for vacations. “While we must find savings in all sectors of the Confederation, we see that the CFF, for an ideological goal, want to spend between 100 and 200 francs per ticket, which the Swiss taxpayer will put in, so that people can enjoy a leisure stay in Malmö and in Sweden,” Pahud stated in an interview with RTS’s La Matinale.
Though,supporters emphasize the importance of night trains in achieving climate objectives and question the broader context of transportation funding. Martin Candinas, national councilor from Graubünden (Center party) and president of litra, defended the project, noting Parliament previously approved funding for rail travel expansion through the CO2 law. “This is exactly what the CFF is doing now,” Candinas saeid on La Matinale.He warned that withholding funding after ticket sales begin would raise questions about the purpose of the initial allocation.
David Raedler, co-president of the Transport and Environment Association (ATE) and elected Green Vaud, argued the 9 million franc annual subsidy is minimal compared to other areas of state spending, and pointed to the lack of taxation on aviation fuel as a significant revenue loss. “It’s almost nothing in the state coffers,” Raedler said.
If Parliament refuses the credit, SBB has stated it will refund tickets already booked. The debate highlights a growing tension between environmental initiatives and budgetary concerns within the Swiss government.
