The “Car carrying Train Iselle – Briga” project is providing safer, quicker and more sustainable transportation on an existing railway between Brig, Switzerland and Iselle of Transquera, Italy.
- 09 November 2016
The project provides a sustainable, comfortable and easy way to travel by car across the Simplon, from Brig Glis to Iselle of Trasquera, in a quick, comfortable and cost effective manner.
The cross-border region between northern Italy and southern Switzerland is transient. With nearly 165 000 inhabitants in the Province of Verbanio Cusio Ossola (the Italian side) and 12 300 inhabitants in Briga Municipality (the Swiss side), many regularly commute back and forth across the border for work, shopping and entertainment.
There is also significant tourist traffic within the region. However, separating these two populations is the Simplon Pass – a rugged mountain terrain that is not only a dangerous and congested drive, but is often closed due to bad weather conditions.
To surmount the pass, the two regions coordinated efforts to create a more rapid, environmentally-friendly and safe way to traverse the Alpine barrier. The result is a car carrying train service on an existing railway through the Simplon Pass providing a direct connection between Brig on the Swiss side and Iselle of Trasquera on the Italian side. The service offers two trains every hour running from about 11:30 in the morning to 23:00.
For those not needing their cars to continue onwards across the border, the train also offers a passenger service – popular with the many cross-border workers who can simply leave their car in the station parking lot and take the train to work. The journey one way takes about 20 minutes.
Big numbers, big picture
As the region was previously serviced by a car carrying train, which closed in 1993 due to lack of use, this project faced considerable scepticism. However, due to changing demographics, better coordination with the national rail lines and more of a focus on commuter use (as opposed to tourism), the new service has proved to be a resounding success. In 2005 the train transported over 67 300 vehicles. By 2008 this number had reached 139 597 – far surpassing initial objectives.
One unique factor contributing to this success is the project’s focus on efficiency. Instead of simply seeing the objective as creating a car carrying train route across the Alps, the project approached it as one component within the larger commuter chain. For example, the train is designed to optimise loading and unloading of vehicles, so as not to lose valuable time.
More so, the boarding and departure points – for both cars and passengers – are conveniently connected to local roads and public transportation services, thus creating an uninterrupted commute. Likewise, this approach has had a trickledown benefit to the communities served – from the renovation of local bus stops to increased security and upgrades to train stations and connecting roads. Needless to say, all of these construction projects have – and continue to – create jobs.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Car carrying Train Iselle - Briga” is EUR 1 116 935, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 364 950 through the “Cross-border Cooperation Programme Italy – Switzerland” Operational Programme for the 2000-2006 programming period.