The decline in traffic linked to Covid-19 and growing awareness of environmental issues: these are the two factors that have undoubtedly prompted the company to take action. Swiss to develop a new service between Geneva and Zurich... this time by train rather than by air. Nothing too revolutionary, however, as Swiss will be marketing the service under its own code. certain trains already running on the Geneva Cornavin-Zurich Airport route. The rail shuttle is called the "Flugzug(in German the "train-avion") and it is already in service on the Zurich-Basel and Zurich-Lugano routes.
Geneva-Zurich trains under Swiss flight numbers
The aim is to maintain perfect connectivity between French-speaking Switzerland and the Swiss hub. The inclusion of Geneva in this rail shuttle service means that airline passengers taking the train will be able to guaranteed re-routing or re-booking in the event of rail problems. The plane ticket also includes the price of the Geneva-Zurich rail journey.
The new rail shuttle complements the existing air services between Geneva Cointrin and Zurich airports, which have been significantly reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It also reflects the spirit of the times, as Thomas Klühr, President of the a subsidiary of Lufthansa : "Extending our rail shuttle service to Geneva gives our passengers even more options when planning their trip with Swiss. It also responds to our customers' growing desire for a flexible combination of the two modes of transport.".
Shorter journey times between Switzerland and Italy
In fact, Swiss will probably eventually be able to extend this "Flugzug" concept beyond Switzerland's borders. Swiss Railways' (SBB) winter timetable will finally see the opening of the Ceneri tunnel, after 28 years of construction work. Inaugurated on 13 December, this tunnel is part of the New Rail Links through the Alps (NRLA) an infrastructure estimated at over 20 billion euros. The NRLA is part of a European project that will eventually link Rotterdam to Genoa by rail.. The entry into service of the Ceneri tunnel is a new milestone, following the opening of the Lötschberg and Gotthard tunnels in 2007 and 2011.
Located in the southern extension of the Gotthard tunnel, the Ceneri is 15.4 km long. It will cut journey times between Zurich and Lugano just two hours away. This will also put the Swiss metropolis only 3 hours 17 minutes from Milan. Unbeatable journey times compared with air travel.
The Ceneri tunnel will also help to improve connectivity between French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino. Journeys on the Neuchâtel-Lugano line will be cut by thirty minutes to 3 hours 32 minutes, half an hour less than the current journey time. On the Lausanne-Lugano route, journey time will be 4 hours 14 minutes, 18 minutes less than today.
At the same time, SBB is announcing an increase in rail services between Zurich and Munich. Six trains will run daily, with journey times reduced to four hours. At present, only two trains run on this route every day, taking an average of 4 hours 45 minutes.
