CZ/SK verze

Gotthard Tunnel Derailment Repairs to Cost SBB Up to EUR 135 Million

Gotthard Tunnel Derailment Repairs to Cost SBB Up to EUR 135 Million
photo: swissinfo.ch/Gotthard Tunnel Derailment Repairs to Cost SBB Up to EUR 135 Million
07 / 11 / 2023

The aftermath of the Gotthard Base Tunnel derailment last August continues to have financial and operational repercussions for the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). Estimates for the repair of the extensive damage now range between EUR 103 and 135 million. The SBB has reassured that the costs, which encompass the damage to infrastructure and associated loss of income, will be met through existing insurance provisions for such events.

In response to the disruption, SBB has announced a strategic interim timetable, pending approval from the Swiss Federal Office of Transport. Starting from 10 December, the company plans to increase freight train capacities on weekdays and introduce a mixed timetable on weekends, maintaining some availability for passenger services. This interim solution is projected to remain in effect until Easter 2024, with more comprehensive plans to be detailed in the first quarter of the coming year.

Looking ahead, the full restoration of the Gotthard Base Tunnel is not expected until September 2024 at the earliest. The closure of the tunnel's west tube following the derailment has had a substantial impact, particularly on Italian rail connections, which heavily depend on this route for access to Switzerland and the northern parts of Europe. The east tube, currently in use, can only support two-thirds of the regular traffic volume. This incident has brought to light a significant safety issue—the derailment was caused by a defective wheel that had gone 140,000 kilometers without maintenance, leading to a broader examination of rail safety practices and the maintenance frequency of similar components throughout European rail networks.

Tags