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Francesca Agosta
The Ticino government is resisting the disruption of cross-border rail traffic. Italy apparently does not carry out any health checks on trains, but is pushing the “hot potato” to Switzerland, criticizes the president of the Ticino government, Norman Gobbi (43).
The planned disruption of rail traffic between Ticino and Italy from Thursday should be avoided in all circumstances, Gobbi said when asked by the Keystone-SDA news agency.
The temporary suspension of rail traffic between Switzerland and Italy would have “significant effects on traffic and quality of life in the border region.” Most cross-border travelers would take the train to Ticino for work. If cross-border trains were disrupted, they would have to switch to a car.
Trains exclusively for cross-border travelers?
Lombardy region president Attilio Fontana could play an important role in finding a solution, Gobbi said. Fontana also criticized the measures imposed by the Italian government and had toyed with the Ticino government with the idea of operating trains exclusively for cross-border travelers, and carrying out prescribed medical checks on them.
For Ticino, this would only be an interim solution: “For us, restoring all connections takes priority,” says Gobbi. In Italy, one was “surprised” by SBB’s decision, Italian correspondent Philipp Zahn said on Swiss television station SRF’s “Tagesschau” on Tuesday evening. In Rome and Milan there is talk of a “Swiss, do it alone”.
The Italian Ministry of Transport expressed its concern to the Italian business newspaper “Il sole 24”: The Italian government must find a solution with Switzerland. The goal should be to maintain at least the most important rail connections between the two countries.
Sommaruga asks for a solution
For her part, Federal President Simonetta Sommaruga told the media in Bern on Tuesday evening that Switzerland was in contact with the Italian authorities and the railways. Solutions will be sought in the cantons concerned, in particular with regard to the “issue of cross-border travelers”. The Transport Minister wants to inform the entire Federal Council on Friday about the situation.
SBB announced on Tuesday morning that cross-border rail connections between Switzerland and Italy would be suspended for an indefinite period from Thursday (December 10).
The reason for the decision is a decree recently approved by the Italian government. Among other things, this provides temperature measurements on trains. SBB was unable to meet these requirements, it says in its statement.
Baden-Württemberg wants to keep the border with Switzerland open
While there is a dispute over rail traffic on the southern border of Switzerland, similar crossings have not yet been planned on the northern border of Switzerland and Germany. This is claimed by the Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg, Winfried Kretschmann (72), according to reports in the German media.
Consequently, the border with Switzerland should remain open despite the high number in the neighboring country. Kretschmann emphasizes: “The border closures in the first wave of spring have caused considerable disruption and great annoyance.” Now it must be ensured that the rules are similar on both sides of the border. (SDA / kes)
