Advocate for Operations: Geneva-Lyon Rail Line Petition from Switzerland's SBB
Rewritten Article
Problematic Journeys
Politicians are talking about the 'niggling issues' with the TER, a regional company of France's national railway SNCF, operating on the 149-km line between two cities. This includes delays and outdated trains.
As mentioned by the Tribune de Genève, some Swiss entities are eager to solve this issue.
The canton of Geneva is trying to pressure the SBB to step in and upgrade the service to a speedy one, running every two hours with just one stop in Valserhône, instead of the current seven.
Under the plan, the SBB won't replace TER completely, but enhance the current service with a more proficient option.
But can a Swiss train roll on French soil? Not yet, but under recent agreements with the European Union (EU), foreign transport companies can offer cross-border connections, and the SBB can do the same.
COP̧A! Some obstacles still need resolution by the Swiss side. One challenge is that the electric current that drives the French and Swiss rail lines is different. Another issue is that the SBB doesn't have spare trains to deploy on the Geneva-Lyon line. Plus, the TER service between the two cities, mainly running on French territory, is subsidized by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, complicating the Swiss strategy.
However, Geneva deputy Delphine Klopfenstein Broggini believes those problems are surmountable and has asked the Federal Council to investigate.
When will this plan kick off?
Not anytime soon, considering the number of steps that should be taken first to get this project on the right path, both figuratively and literally.
By the way...
Switzerland's ability to operate trains on French territory largely depends on agreements with the EU and specific arrangements with France. Switzerland isn't an EU member but has strong economic and transportation ties with the union through various agreements.
- Collaboration: While Swiss trains don't have free rein on the French rail network, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and the French National Railways (SNCF) cooperate closely, operating joint ventures like Lyria, which runs high-speed trains between major Swiss cities and Paris.
- Technical Matters: Swiss trains must adhere to European technical standards, rail safety regulations, and interoperability directives to operate in France.
- Regulatory Hurdles: Extensive collaboration or new services by Swiss railways in France may face technical and regulatory challenges, requiring specific permits or fresh agreements beyond the current Lyria service model.
- The Swiss entities, driven by a desire to improve the problematic journeys between two cities, are exploring possibilities within the transport industry, aiming to offer a more efficient service through the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB).
- Despite some obstacles, such as differences in electric current and potential regulatory hurdles, the SBB's plan to collaborate more closely with France's national railway SNCF, and potentially operating on French soil, is being actively pursued by Swiss officials.
- In the finance industry, the deployment of SBB trains on the Geneva-Lyon line may require significant investments for acquiring compatible trains and adhering to European technical standards and regulations.
- The recurring issue of delays and outdated trains on the TER line between two cities has sparked discussion and offers an opportunity for the transport sector to address this problem with innovative solutions, potentially incorporating the expertise of Swiss entities.
