Doubts raised over Swiss rail expansion plans

Objections are being raised over Switzerland’s CHF22.3 billion ($25.7 billion) railway expansion programme, which some critics say is a poorly planned and an inefficient use of state funds. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Even Swiss Federal Railways, the state-owned operator of the rail system, has suggested that some funds could be put to better use maintaining the existing network. An initial CHF15.4 billion project to revamp the rail network by 2035 has been given extra billions by parliament in recent months. The programme includes new tunnel beneath Lake Geneva, enlarging the Geneva junction, expanding a line in the canton Bern, a new route in canton Neuchâtel and scaling up the Lötschberg base tunnel. + Expansion of Swiss rail abroad 'not worthwhile' The scale and strategy of the expansion programme has already been criticised by former Swiss Railways boss Benedikt Weibel. In the summer, Weibel said some projects would bring little benefit to ...