UIRR calls for competitive market conditions for new Alpine tunnels

Both Switzerland and Austria are currently investing heavily in improving the north-south transit through the Alps to make rail transport on this route more attractive. These include the Gotthard Basis Tunnel (GBT), which will come into operation with the new timetable for 2016/2017, making a ‘flat double track’ between Germany and Italy available for the first time. The construction of the Brenner Basis Tunnel (BBT) will also provide ‘flat double track’ on the main Alpine transit from 2026. Furthermore, the extension of the Lötschberg Basis Tunnel with a double track is also planned.