Léman Express to ‘change face’ of Geneva: Swiss transport minister
Official inauguration ceremonies were held in cantons Vaud, Geneva and in neighbouring France on Thursday to celebrate the completion and imminent public opening of the Léman Express cross-border rail network.
Keystone / Salvatore Di Nolfi
The new Léman Express cross-border rail network is set to revolutionise transport between Switzerland and France, declared Swiss Transport Minister Simonetta Sommaruga at an inauguration ceremony on Thursday.
Three days ahead of its official public opening, officials from the two countries gathered at Coppet, in canton Vaud, north of Geneva, at La Roche-Sur-Foron, in France, and at Eaux-Vives in Geneva to cut the ribbons and celebrate the completion of the long-awaited regional rail network.
“Léman Express will revolutionise the mobility habits of residents in the entire region and change the face of Geneva,” said Sommaruga on Thursday.
Map of the new Léman Express regional rail network in the Greater Geneva region
Léman Express
Once fully operational, officials estimate that 50,000 people will take one of the 40 Léman Express trains criss-crossing the network every day. They say the new rail network should help cut road traffic and commuting times. Currently, almost half a million vehicles cross Geneva’s borders from France and canton Vaud every day, snarling up local roads in rush hour.
In her speech, Sommaruga praised the close cooperation with France that helped finalise the complex project, which has involved decades of discussions, planning and appeals, and almost eight years of construction work.
She said such cooperation should be stepped up and indicated that there is a willingness to create a single bi-national entity to finance and further develop the offer. Swiss Federal Railways and the French national rail company SNCF are looking at uniting their expertise to develop the network, said the minister.
More
More
Léman Express to have a ‘major impact’ on Greater Geneva mobility
This content was published on
The Léman Express cross-border rail network opens on December 15 in Geneva and France. What effect will it have on traffic and urban development?
Two decades after tsunami, Swiss tourists flock to Southeast Asia
This content was published on
Twenty years after a catastrophic tsunami in Southeast Asia, the region is again a top destination for Swiss, including at Christmas.
Swiss forests better equipped for storms 25 years after Lothar
This content was published on
Twenty-five years after Hurricane Lothar wreaked havoc in Switzerland, the country’s forests are now better prepared, experts say.
Media: Swiss medical services done abroad are billed at Swiss rates
This content was published on
In Switzerland, some medical services carried out abroad are still billed at Swiss rates, despite costing less, RTS reports.
This content was published on
Sophie Hediger, a member of the Swiss national snowboard cross team, has died in an avalanche in Arosa. She was 26 years old.
This content was published on
Several Swiss films exceeded the 100,000 admissions mark worldwide in 2024 and received widespread praise at international film festivals.
Swiss Alpine resorts covered in white gold for Christmas
This content was published on
Many areas at low altitudes in Switzerland are enjoying a blanket of snow. In the mountains, intense precipitation has delighted skiers.
SWISS makes emergency landing in Austria after smoke in cockpit
This content was published on
Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) made an emergency landing of an Airbus in Graz, Austria on Monday evening after engine problems.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland sees record number of cross-border workers
This content was published on
Ticino and Geneva in particular saw marked increases in the number of workers crossing the border, thanks partly to a stable Swiss economy.
This content was published on
In an effort to reduce air pollution and its health hazards, the Geneva authorities have approved a measure to ban the most polluting vehicles.
Geneva’s cross-border workers are less qualified, live further afield
This content was published on
A survey shows that cross-border workers in the Geneva area now travel greater distances to work and are less likely to be managers and executives.
Geneva’s property shortage continues to fuel exodus
This content was published on
Despite the construction of new homes in Geneva, the lack of property for sale continues to lead to an exodus to neighbouring canton Vaud and France.
This content was published on
Officials in canton Geneva and neighbouring France have reached an agreement to reduce the heavy traffic that clogs up small border posts.
Can a cross-border rail link end Geneva’s gridlock?
This content was published on
Geneva’s roads are regularly snarled up in rush hour by hundreds of thousands of cars from neighbouring France and canton Vaud.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.