auto-schweiz welcomes the fact that the 'Traffic '45' proposal commits to the urgently needed infrastructure expansion to maintain the economic performance of our country. Having independent experts review and prioritize infrastructure projects in the 'Traffic '45' proposal is indispensable. However, the proposed distribution of investments does not do justice to the significance of the different modes of mobility in Switzerland.
While 20 billion francs are earmarked for rail expansion in the expansion step 2027, without securing the necessary funding, only 1.6 billion francs are to be invested in the expansion of national roads, despite the fact that road projects can be financed. Additionally, there are 9.46 billion francs for operation and maintenance, along with a share for the agglomeration traffic program (5th generation: 518 million francs). Conversely, the Federal Council has canceled 31 planned transport projects amounting to around 16 billion francs. This allocation does not align with the needs of the population and the economy - as demonstrated by traffic and congestion statistics.
Thomas Rücker, Director of auto-schweiz, states: 'Anyone planning traffic policy for the year 2045 must orient themselves on the actual mobility of the economy and the population. Today, three-quarters of passenger kilometers are traveled by car and two-thirds of all goods are transported on the road. This reality must be reflected in the planned infrastructure expansion - anything else would be wrong.'
The Economy and Population Suffer from Record Congestion
The capacity bottlenecks on the national roads have been worsening for years. This year, congestion hours are expected to reach a new record high. The consequences are economic costs in the billions: delays in deliveries, prolonged commuting times, and increased costs for products and services for businesses and consumers alike. According to the Federal Constitution (Art. 83), the federal government is responsible for ensuring adequate road infrastructure. The increasing congestion hours year after year indicate that this mandate is currently not being met. Therefore, more road infrastructure projects are urgently needed in 'Traffic '45'.
Cost-Intensive Rail Infrastructure Expansion is Disproportionate
The funding of road infrastructure today follows the user-pays principle. Additionally, motorists contribute nearly 13 billion francs annually through taxes and levies, making a critical contribution to financing the entire traffic infrastructure. While investments in road traffic are financially secured, the 20 billion francs earmarked by the Federal Council in the expansion step 2027 for rail expansion, with investments in partially unprofitable infrastructure projects, require additional taxes from the population. Furthermore, according to experts, rail operators are already financially struggling to maintain existing infrastructure. auto-schweiz therefore demands that investment planning be based on actual transport performance and the potential of dedicated financing. In the case of additional rail expansions, financial prudence should be maintained, and user-financing should be prioritised.
Peter Grünenfelder, President of auto-schweiz, says: 'It cannot be that motorists finance a significant part of the traffic infrastructure with increasing taxes and levies while simultaneously facing longer congestion because the Federal Council wants to invest unilaterally in rail infrastructure, ignoring the real mobility needs. Politics must allocate available resources where they create the greatest benefit for the population and the economy.'
Integrated Traffic Policy from a Single Mold
In the consultation process, auto-schweiz advocates a reassessment of priorities and additional road projects. The goal must be a traffic system aligned with actual mobility needs and secure funding streams. Switzerland needs an efficient mobility infrastructure up to 2045 and beyond. This includes a functioning national road network as well as an efficient and long-term, financially sustainable public transport system.