EU Transport Attachés Relive their 57,1 Km Trip Through the Alps!
Between 18 and 20 October 2016, an EU delegation made the memorable journey from Port of Switzerland on the Rhine in Basel all the way down to the Hupac Container Terminal in Busto Arsizio-Gallarate (Italy) via the Gotthard Base Tunnel.
The visit ran like a Swiss clock: everything was excellently organised, both the meetings and the visits were highly interesting!
My impression of the visit? Cool, professional, relaxed and smart, all at the same time!
A wonderful and memorable experience!
These were some of the impressions gathered after the visit to Switzerland. The group of around 35 transport experts from EU member states and institutions (EU Commission, Parliament and Council Secretariat) gained further insights into Switzerland’s transport policy and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the country’s mountains and lakes at the same time. The visit was organised by the Mission of Switzerland to the EU and Presence Switzerland on the occasion of the opening year of the Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT, see also here).
Switzerland is leading in Europe when it comes to modal shift (shift from road to rail), but also in noise reduction on rail and quality of rail services.
The Gotthard Base Tunnel – at 57,1 km the longest tunnel in the world – will be operational by mid-December this year, but the EU delegation was given opportunity to already become acquainted with the efficient transport infrastructure provided by Switzerland at the heart of Europe. The Swiss transport system is deeply embedded in the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T), in particular within the Rhine Alpine Corridor. With the modal shift from road to rail at the core of its transport policy, Switzerland is making substantial investments in its transport infrastructure, rendering it both more modern and more efficient. Indeed, the Swiss transport system is highly sustainable and significantly contributes to the de-carbonisation of transport.
Switzerland (is) an exciting mix of tradition and innovation.
The journey across the country offered new impressions and images which were very different from the tired clichés many people still associate with Switzerland (sorry, but Toblerone is not Swiss anymore!). Italian Transport Counsellor, for example, was full of praise: “Switzerland (is) an exciting mix of tradition and innovation, with amazing landscapes and different cultures, urban centres and typical villages… and everywhere warm hospitality!”. He was particularly impressed by how much Switzerland is part of and committed to the European transport system.
Innovation and the long-term planning of a sustainable transport policy were a main theme of this visit, which was centred on the Gotthard Base Tunnel, a technological tour de force that was accomplished “like a Swiss clockwork”, as the British EU-Commission officer emphasised, that is to say with the reliability and punctuality that are the hallmarks of Switzerland .
People believe in the public interest (...). I felt enthusiasm and trust from the people I met
The participation by Swiss citizens in the long and complex political process that resulted in the construction of the Gotthard Base Tunnel and the enormous investment that made it possible was repeatedly underlined by the members of the delegation. “It is amazing to see that the Swiss population was part of the political process at every stage”, observed the Italian colleague. His German counterpart noted the commitment by the Swiss government to deliver on the political choices made in democratic votes.
“What impressed me in particular was the ‘thinking ahead’-sort of approach by the Swiss”, said the Swedish representative of the Transport Unit of the EU Council Secretariat. “This ability to plan ahead and carry out long political processes that ultimately result in a collective endeavour” added another participant. The Gotthard Base Tunnel demonstrates that “plans become reality”, acknowledged the Czech colleague, who also observed that “People believe in the public interest (...). I felt enthusiasm and trust from the people I met.” The project shows that the Swiss are not only ambitious, but also reliable, said the Belgian Transport Counsellor. The German colleague added that the Swiss are really “good at large projects.”
“For me the visit to Switzerland was extremely interesting and pertinent to my work on transportation policy at the European Parliament”, the German colleague heading the secretariat of the commission of Transport wrote us. “It was striking for me to see and experience the high quality of the Swiss transport system, specifically on rail. It seems to me that Switzerland is leading in Europe when it comes to modal shift (shift from road to rail), but also in noise reduction on rail and quality of rail services (punctuality, reliability, accessibility).”
Your transport policy is inspirational.
As the Dutch Transport Attaché summarised it: “Your transport policy is inspirational. Costly, but effective!”
The Acting Director of the European Mobility Network at the EU Commission said that, “after the visit, everyone will have understood that transport and the policy that shapes it in Switzerland is at an exceptional level and many things can be learned from it. I am thoroughly impressed and look forward to further cooperation.”
