The ZEB programme – Future development of rail infrastructure

A train passing by the Eppenberg Tunnel construction site.
The upgrading of the line between Olten and Aarau to four tracks and the new Eppenberg Tunnel are part of the ZEB infrastructure programme.
© SBB

The ZEB programme was approved by Parliament in 2009. It is the follow-up to the ‘Rail 2000’ programme and includes a range of infrastructure measures across Switzerland at a cost of CHF 5.4 billion. The ZEB programme was reviewed and partially modified in the run-up to the vote on the project to fund and expand rail infrastructure (FABI). It will be implemented at the same time as the 2025 expansion step which was approved by the FABI vote.

The ZEB programme will enable 400 metre-long double-decker trains to operate on the west-east axis via Bern and double-decker trains to run on the Lausanne-Brig route in Valais. Services will also be expanded on various long-distance and regional routes. A range of measures on the access routes to the Gotthard and Ceneri base tunnels will increase freight transport capacity too.

Infrastructure measures under the ZEB programme include the expansion of the Lausanne hub and the upgrading of the line between Olten and Aarau to four tracks with the new Eppenberg Tunnel.

https://www.bav.admin.ch/content/bav/en/home/verkehrstraeger/eisenbahn/bahninfrastruktur/ausbauprogramme/zeb.html