With the official opening on 1 June 2016 of the 57,1 km long Gotthard Base Tunnel, Switzerland is completing its 20 bn € "New Railway Link through the Alps" (NRLA). Adopted by the Swiss people on a referendum held in 1998, the NRLA is a milestone in rail history. Thanks to three new base tunnels through the Alps (Gotthard, Lötschberg and Ceneri Base Tunnels) and the expansion of the access routes, Switzerland brings Europe closer together, while making an important contribution to the European transport policy and single market. Following the actual start of operation within the Gotthard Base Tunnel on 11 December 2016, up to 260 freight convoys and 65 passenger trains a day will transport more cargo and passengers through the Alps - at higher speed and using fewer locomotives. And, once the Ceneri Base Tunnel and the access routes are completed by 2020, travelling between Northern and Southern Europe will not only be more efficient, cheaper and more environmentally friendly, but also faster.

Switzerland is about to complete its contribution in terms of infrastructure. How can the EU and the Member States within the Rhine-Alpine Corridor address challenges – both at legislative and operational level – in order to achieve efficient connectivity while enhancing railway’s attractiveness in comparison to other transport modes in Europe?

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