Swiss transport authorities have given the go-ahead for low-cost long-distance bus services on three routes, where the buses will compete directly with train service at about half the price.
Swiss law allows competition with the state-owned railroads, but only to the extent that they do not threaten the state-funded services. There’s been a recognized need for the bus service, but it has only now been approved, for a run through the next two years.
Routes served, at first by one round-trip a day but starting in June two per day, will be
- St. Gallen–Zurich–Biel/Bienne–Geneve airport.
- Zürich airport to Lugano via Basel and Lucerne
- Chur/Coire to Sitten/Sion in Valais taking in Zurich and Berne along the way.
