On a quiet winter’s afternoon in Bern, as snow brushed the rooftops like soft punctuation marks on a long conversation, Switzerland’s Federal Council set its gaze toward horizons that few of us will see in full — the year 2045. Like a craftsman sketching the outline of an ambitious tapestry, the government framed the broad strokes of a mobility plan that stretches across mountains and valleys, rail lines and highways, aiming to weave the threads of daily life into a coherent whole for generations to come.
In its recent session, the Federal Council outlined the strategic priorities for Swiss transport infrastructure through to 2045, a vision born from both technical expertise and public conversation. Known as Transports ’45, this project seeks to unite the longstanding ambitions of railway development with the practical demands of road travel and urban connectivity in one unified framework.
At the heart of this vision stands the promise of a more capacious and reliable rail network — a ribbon of steel that, over time, will carry not just passengers but the hopes of a nation gently steering toward sustainability. In the near term, connections such as the Bienne–Lausanne/Genève corridor are set to see enhancements by 2030, an investment underlining the importance of linking Swiss cities with smoother cadence and shorter waits. Expanding quarter‑hourly and half‑hourly services on key intercity routes will ripple comfort and choice through everyday journeys.
As the years unfurl, further planned projects — from station expansions to improved regional services — beckon with a quiet promise of possibility. Beyond rail, the plan also considers motorways and bottlenecks that shape road travel across the country. Key stretches of the A1 will gain extra lanes in places where traffic currently slows to a reluctant crawl, honoring the balance between swift mobility and environmental stewardship.
This holistic approach marks a first in Swiss policy: rather than treating trains, highways, and urban transport as separate domains, Transports ’45 sets them in dialogue. It tasks the Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) with crafting a consultation draft by mid‑2026, intending to spark discussion with cantonal partners and communities.
Yet, as with any long‑range vision, elements will evolve through engagement and debate. The plan’s heart beats not just with technical designs but with democratic process — consultations, public input, and eventual parliamentary decisions will shape the path ahead. In this way, the plan reflects not only an administrative directive but a collective imagining of mobility’s role in Swiss life.
In the coming years, as consultations unfold and details are molded by voices from across the country, Switzerland’s mobility journey will continue to take shape. What stands clear now is a commitment to knit rail, road, and urban routes into a future that moves with the rhythms of daily life — from morning commuters to cross‑country travelers — in ways that are thoughtful, sustainable, and enduring.
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Sources Le Courrier SWI swissinfo.ch Le Nouvelliste Ajour / LeManbleu / Bluewin admin.ch press release