E. Herzog

Eva Herzog, member of the Council of States for the canton of Basel-Stadt, welcomes the complete revision of the Goods Transport Act in the spring session. She considers it a milestone for freight shipping on the Rhine, a financial commitment from the federal government to port infrastructure, and the introduction of climate-neutral propulsion systems in inland navigation.

Basel is a central hub for passenger transport, but especially for freight transport. Half of all rail freight passes through Basel. At the same time, almost 900,000 people in the trinational agglomeration depend on a functioning transport infrastructure.

This fulfills all the requirements of a motion that was referred to the Federal Council by both chambers in 2020. The next step is to conclude a performance agreement with the federal government. "Once the objections to the trimodal freight terminal Gateway Basel are resolved, we can finally get started on this important project.".

To ensure the smooth flow of traffic in the future, the Basel rail hub must be expanded and the core component, including the underground Basel station, must be built. This is technically undisputed. "However, following the cost increase of 14 billion Swiss francs for the 2035 expansion phase, the battles over funding within the Rail Infrastructure Fund (BIF) will become even more difficult. We are all called upon to ensure that this project, so vital for all of Switzerland, is not postponed indefinitely.".

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