Parliament wants to fund new night train services and other cross-border rail services in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from air transport. A sum of CHF 10 million is available for this purpose for 2025. The Federal Council plans to discontinue this incentive from 2027 as part of the 2027 budget reduction programme.
© ÖBB / Harald Eisenberger
Article 37a of the CO2 Act allows for financial support for cross-border rail services. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector.
What is being funded?
Long-distance passenger transport services, especially night trains, can receive funding. The Confederation will subsidise services or contribute to investments.
Who can submit an application?
Funding may be received by domestic or foreign companies that transport passengers on cross-border scheduled services based on a licence under Article 6 of the Passenger Transport Act (PTA), a permit under Article 8 PTA or an international agreement. The companies must have experience in operating comparable services.
Subsidy amounts
Parliament has approved the amount of CHF 10 million for 2025. The Federal Council plans to discontinue the subsidy from 2027 as part of the 2027 budget reduction programme.
Submitting an application
During the first stage, interested companies can submit concepts for services to be funded. Applications for investments must be submitted in combination with the planned service. After a preliminary review, the FOT will inform the applicant companies whether their concepts meet the legal requirements or need to be adapted, and whether competing concepts exist. Applications can then be submitted to personenverkehr@bav.admin.ch.
Deadlines and provisos
Concepts for 2025 funding must be submitted in the first quarter of 2025. Financing agreements for subsequent years are only concluded with provisos. The plan is for the agreements to be signed by the end of the second quarter of 2025. Subsequenty, applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis within the scope of available funds.
Documents to be submitted
- Business case (description of the service, market analysis, demand calculation, profitability calculation, risk assessment)
- Completed Excel template («Application for funding for long-distance cross-border passenger rail transport») with cover sheet an key figures
- Proof of third-party contributions
- Service concept: service route, retention policy, tariffs, capacity, quantity structure and timetable
- Signed assurance that the service will be provided for several years
- In the case of existing services, plans to improve appeal to travellers
