5 Swiss Transport

TRANSPORT IN SWITZERLAND
Switzerland has a highly developed and efficient transport network and this has
greatly contributed to its economic development. There is land, water and air
transport. The transport systems are generally modernized.
TYPES OF TRANSPORT
1) Railway transport:
It is very important because it has a network of about 7,000km and also covers
the mountainous regions as high as 3,500 metres. This transport plays an
important role in the development of the Swiss international trade.
The main routes from the south converge at Basel. In the south the main routes
are linked to Italy and other parts of southern Europe. The most important
Alpine railway lines include; the Gotthard, Lotschberg and Simplon. Most of
theses transport goods that are from Italy and several parts of Europe. The
system is run by the Switzerland Federal railways.
The 5 main lines crossing Switzerland include:

 Basel-chiasso north south line connecting Germany to Italy via St. Gotthard
Tunnel.
 Basel Bern-Milan passing through the Lotschberg and Simplon tunnel.
 Vallor-Lausanne-Brigue line which passes through the Rhone valley and
Simplon tunnel ensuring traffic between France and Italy.
 The Geneva-Bern–Zurich line connecting France to German and Austria.
Switzerland has had to develop such railway systems because it lies in central
Europe in the International crosswords. In addition, Switzerland being a
landlocked country required such important railway systems to ferry her imports
and exports.
Characteristics of Swiss railway:

i) It covers most of the country including the Alpine region i.e. connects the
major towns or urban centres. In other words it has a vast network.
ii) In the Alps where there are steep slopes or valleys, railway lines pass along
bridges and tunnels.
iii) The railway system is virtually electrified i.e. it is 99% electrified.
iv) It is designed to conveniently transport imports in bulk.
v) Modern and high-speed trains have been introduced and are used.
vi) The key railway lines are double tracked to enable two-way traffic and
avoid delays.
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© SMACK Geography Department
Map of Switzerland showing the main railway lines.
Reasons why Switzerland has developed an efficient railway system

a) To convey imports and exports via Basel to the rest of Switzerland and from
various parts of the country. Large quantities of imports arriving at port Basel
are conveyed by rail into the interior of Switzerland, likewise large quantities
of exports from various parts of the country reach Basel by rail.
b) To encourage the development of the tourist industry. Electrifying aerial cable
ways and funiculars can reach higher altitudes of the rugged mountains in
the Alps. They transport millions of visitors each year. They enable tourists to
reach ski slopes and mountain tops with ease.
c) Switzerland lies in the central position of Europe. Naturally, this makes
Switzerland a transitional and routeway for international movements.
Therefore, Switzerland has developed her railway system to promote
international links and benefits from the international linkages.
d) The need to transport thousands of workers to their work places and back
home daily.
e) The need to develop manufacturing industries based on imported raw
materials thus using railway transporting bulky goods.
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2. Road transport:
The total network has a length of about 70,000km. These roads accommodate
millions of Swiss and foreign registered vehicles such as trucks, trailers, Buses,
cars, station wagons etc. for the transportation of goods and passengers. There
are important roads which have been developed northwards through the Jura,
Basel and Rhine valley to Lyon and Paris. There are also road routes west of
Geneva and Rhone valley and south wards to Italy through the main passes.
Characteristics of the road transport.

i) Most have a bound surface or are tarmacadamized.
ii) The main roads are wide and multi-lane i.e. used by motorists, cyclists
and pedestrians.
iii) Road system is well equipped which traffic lights and signals as well as
other traffic control systems.
3. Water transport.
This has involved the use of ships, barges, boats on rivers, lakes and canals. The
most important water line is R. Rhine on which large quantities of goods
(imports & exports) are transported e.g. coal, petroleum, cereals as well as semi-
finished or raw metals such as Iron ore. Switzerland has a large commercial
fleet.
Though land locked, Switzerland possesses an ocean going fleet which includes
freighters with oil tankers.
The chief port on the R. Rhine is Basel, which handles millions of tons of goods
annually.
4. Air transport:
It involves the use of aircraft such as aeroplanes and helicopters. Switzerland
has 3 International airports in Basel, Zurich (Kloten airport) and Geneva
(Cointrin airport). These are served by Switzerland’s internal airlines and more
than 30 foreign carriers. Switzerland also has several airfields in other parts of
the country.
Reasons for the development of the air transport in Switzerland

 To tap and harness the strategic location of the Switzerland in the central
position of Europe.
 To provide quick and efficient transport for the tourists to and from
Switzerland.
 To transport quickly her high value manufactured good to the international
market.
5. Aerial Cable ways:

This involves the use cable cars. They are electrified and are mainly used to
transport tourists to the highland ski-resorts, which are almost inaccessible by
road or rail. The cable cars are attached to rails on the cables along which they
move.
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6. Pipeline transport:
This is a system of pipes designed to carry commodities such as oil, natural gas,
or other petroleum-based products over long distances. A pipeline has been
constructed and developed in order to import oil/ petroleum from other
countries like Russia, Ukraine etc.
IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPORT IN SWITZERLAND

The Swiss transport has contributed to the development of the country in the
following ways:
i) It has created employment for transporters and associated labour such as
station workers, Engineers etc providing a source of personal income.
ii) It’s boosted tourism, through introduction of cable cars and electrified
Gornergrat railways that have eased movement of tourists and other
passengers to the sites of tourist attraction i.e. tourist destination centres.
iii) It has facilitated trade and commerce thereby leading to development. This
has been by linking Switzerland with several other European Union
partners.
iv) It has facilitated movement of raw materials and finished goods thus
promoting industrial development.
v) The wide spread transport network has helped to open up isolated areas
for development e.g. the Ticino valley in southern Swiss Alps.
vi) It’s been a source of government revenue through taxation of transport
companies as well as profits from the State transport companies to be
used for various developmental programmes.
vii) It has facilitated the movement of people and community leaders from one
area to another for social and political purposes.
Because of this highly efficient transport network, Switzerland has become

a vital link to the rest of Europe.
PROBLEMS OF THE SWISS TRANSPORT SECTOR

i) Land locked ness has increased the cost of international transport because
dues have to be paid to other countries through which the goods pass.
ii) High fuel costs are incurred. Fuel to run the vehicle engines is virtually
imported.
iii) Unexpected avalanches may occur which leads to destruction of transport
routes. Avalanches may also block routes.
iv) Waterfalls/ rapids in the mountainous areas or upper slopes of the rivers
tend to be an obstacle to navigation.
v) Forms of transport like roads handle numerous vehicles and this causes
traffic congestion during peak (rush) hours leading to delays.
vi) Occasional occurrence of fog, which reduces visibility, increases the risks
of accidents.
vii) Snowfall during winter makes it difficult for the use of the transport routes
because it covers the roads and railway lines.
viii) The occurrence of violent floods from unusual melt waters of glaciers
especially in spring is a hindrance to movement along transport routes.
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ix) The difficult relief i.e. the steep slopes of the highland areas makes the
construction of roads and railway lines very difficult.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS

i) Employment of high level engineering skills to construct roads and rails in
the Alpine region although this is expensive.
ii) Construction of bridges and tunnels across gorges and hills respectively.
iii) Use of cable cars, ski lifts, funicular or electrified Gornergrat railways in
order to over come the problems of steep slopes when accessing highland
areas.
iv) Construction of wide multi-line roads to ease traffic congestion.
v) Twinning/double tracking of rail lines to ensure two-way traffic to help
minimise delays.
vi) Electrification of the railway system in order to reduce on the costs of
importing petroleum, which is expensive.
vii) Setting up barriers or afforestation on hill slopes to prevent avalanches
from blocking transport routes.
viii) The concentration of communication route ways in the U-shaped valleys,
which have acted as natural corridors for transport.
ix) The use of snow clearing equipment on roads, in addition vehicles are
fitted with snow tyres and interior anti freeze heaters.
x) The use of fog lights as well as fog vision equipment and radar systems in
order to minimise risks of accidents due to poor visibility.
xi) Use of locks to improve on the navigability over waterfalls and rapids on
the rivers.
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5 Swiss Transport

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TRANSPORT IN SWITZERLAND

The 5 main lines crossing Switzerland include:

Characteristics of Swiss railway:

Reasons why Switzerland has developed an efficient railway system

Characteristics of the road transport.

Reasons for the development of the air transport in Switzerland

5. Aerial Cable ways:

IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPORT IN SWITZERLAND

Because of this highly efficient transport network, Switzerland has become

PROBLEMS OF THE SWISS TRANSPORT SECTOR

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS

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