- The Confederation has been supporting the agglomeration programs of cantons, cities and municipalities for almost 15 years.
- The Federal Council is now proposing to co-finance a further 32 programs with around CHF 1.3 million.
- One focus of the projects is the expansion of pedestrian and bicycle traffic as well as public transport.
- The Federal Council opened the consultation on Friday.
The funded projects contribute to better networking, increase road safety and also ensure that the environment is less burdened. The agglomerations have submitted a total of 32 programs with an investment volume of around six billion Swiss francs to the federal government. The Federal Council would like to support this with CHF 1.3 million. The projects come from all regions of Switzerland. The largest include the switch from buses to trams in Zurich-Affoltern, the Chur West railway station transport hub and the electrification of the bus system in Basel.
Fourth generation of agglomeration programs
The federal government has been funding transport projects in cities and agglomerations for almost 15 years. Every four years, cantons, cities and municipalities submit their applications for funding and explain what they are planning. This has now happened for the fourth time – the federal government therefore speaks of the fourth generation of the agglomeration programmes.
Parliament must ultimately decide on the Federal Council’s application. Since 2008, it has approved around CHF 7.18 billion for urban traffic. Projects that have already been implemented include the lake promenade in Rorschach SG and the extension of tram line 17 in Geneva to Annemasse in France.
A good three quarters of the population live in cities and agglomerations
According to the federal government, a good three-quarters of the Swiss population live in cities and agglomerations, and around 84 percent of employees also work there. At the same time, the greatest traffic problems, such as traffic jams, occur in agglomerations. The aim of the federal support is, on the one hand, to improve the traffic situation. He is also striving to reduce environmental pollution and increase safety. Ultimately, networking should ensure that traffic and settlement development are well coordinated. The consultation lasts until September 9th.