Cross-border rail transport in Switzerland has somewhat taken a few steps back as international agreements are no longer valid due to unresolved institutional issues with the European Union (EU). One of the most important agreements concerns a simplified procedure for rolling stock registration for cross-border traffic.

“Until new agreements are in place, new rolling stock for transport to neighbouring countries can no longer be approved using simplified procedures as was previously the case. Instead, it must be examined and approved by the European Railway Agency (ERA) in consultation with the safety authorities of neighbouring countries”, a spokesperson from the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT) told RailFreight.com.

What are the disagreement points?

The EU wants Switzerland to adopt the technical pillar of the 4th railway package, which recognises ERA as Europe’s single certification body for rail vehicles and railway traffic operators. “However, the adaptation of the land transport agreement would be a prerequisite for Switzerland to be able to adopt the technical pillar of the 4th railway package”, the FOT spokesperson explained.

“Because Switzerland has not yet adopted this technical pillar of the 4th railway package, it is considered a third country by the EU. This means that EU member states may no longer apply the existing agreements on border routes with Switzerland”, the FOT spokesperson stated. In other words, Swiss rail operators have to find agreements with each bordering country rather than having simplified procedures. Other than rolling stock homologation, these agreements lay the basis for interoperability across borders when it comes to power supply, train protection systems safety-related regulations and certificates.