"Swiss highways reopen to truck traffic": Temporary suspension of truck-free interstate policy in Switzerland concludes
Saying So Long to the Rolling Motorway
Since the 1960s, RAlpin's truck-to-train service, known as the Rolling Motorway or Rola, has seen a staggering 80,000 lorries traverse the Swiss Alps annually, even with the escalating costs associated with railway infrastructure, energy, and related expenses. Yet, the tide is turning, as RAlpin tragically announces the cessation of the service by the end of 2025, leaving trucks stranded on Swiss roads.
In a recent press release, RAlpin cited "major economic challenges" as the primary cause for the early termination of the service. Despite funding from the federal government and persistent customer demand, a series of restrictions on the rail network have led to unexpected cancellations and a decrease in operational trains.
A Bumpy Ride Ahead
As the rail network faces an unprecedented number of disruptions, over 10 percent of trains had to be cancelled throughout 2024 alone, resulting in a 20 percent decrease in trains running during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year. Confronted with this unfavorable situation, RAlpin solemnly admitted that the Rolling Motorway can no longer operate profitably under these altered conditions.
Pointing fingers at Germany, RAlpin asserts that the disruptions on the Rolling Motorway are largely due to the "persistently high susceptibility to disruption of the rail infrastructure in Germany."
What Lies Ahead
Beginning in 2026, the Swiss roadways will likely bear the brunt of increased truck traffic, simultaneously leading to heavier traffic congestion and more pollution in mountain communities. Predicting the exact extent of the damage remains an elusive task at present.
According to the Transport Workers' Union, the premature discontinuation of the Rolling Motorway represents a "massive shift of freight transport" back to the road, which stands as a significant setback for climate policy.
The discontinuation of the Rolling Motorway sets the stage for intricate negotiations and explorations for suitable solutions, not only for the affected workers but also for the transport quantities that previously relied upon the rail system. RAlpin is actively seeking alternatives, contingent upon political support and infrastructure enhancements.
The shift towards a more sustainable future may also impact transportation strategies, as the interest in alternative, eco-friendly transportation solutions, such as solar-powered vehicles, gathers momentum. The way forward for Switzerland's transportation through the Alps is shrouded in uncertainty, but one thing is clear: long-term solutions will necessitate substantial investments in rail infrastructure and political backing to preserve efficient and sustainable transportation.
- By the end of 2025, the Rolling Motorway, a service previously responsible for transporting 80,000 lorries annually across the Swiss Alps, will cease operation due to major economic challenges.
- The cancellation of over 10 percent of trains in 2024, resulting in a 20 percent decrease in operational trains during the first quarter of 2025, has made the Rolling Motorway unprofitable under the altered conditions.
- The increasing truck traffic on Swiss roads, due to the discontinuation of the Rolling Motorway, may lead to greater traffic congestion and pollution in mountain communities, though the exact extent of the damage remains uncertain.
- The Transport Workers' Union sees the termination of the Rolling Motorway as a "massive shift of freight transport" back to the road, which could be a significant setback for climate policy.
- RAlpin, the operator of the Rolling Motorway, is currently exploring alternatives to mitigate the impact on affected workers and the transport quantities that previously relied upon the rail system, contingent upon political support and infrastructure enhancements.
- The way forward for sustainable transportation through the Alps may involve investing in rail infrastructure and political backing to foster eco-friendly solutions such as solar-powered vehicles, as interest in these alternatives gathers momentum.
