Swiss pursue direct train to London; Vaud allows ‘some’ car horns during World Cup; Self-driving taxis to carry passengers from 2027

The Swiss government sees real potential in a direct rail link between Switzerland and London. However, travellers will have to be patient: the government faces numerous challenges in establishing this connection. For example, it needs to be determined exactly which stations in Switzerland are to be served. As the United Kingdom is not part of the Schengen Area, border controls would be necessary. According to the government, extending international treaties to Switzerland is necessary for border and security controls. Next steps should be decided by end of 2027. A direct connection between Swiss stations and London is expected to come into operation from the 2030s onwards. Travelling between Zurich and London is expected to take six hours, five-and-a-half hours from Geneva, and five hours from Basel, according to Swiss Federal Railways. They said this meets travellers’ expectations.  

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  If Swiss ‘Nati’ wins a game during the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Vaud police will permit a certain degree of revelry – meaning convoys of vehicles will be allowed to blow their horns. The gaiety must be limited: it can only last up to 60 minutes after the match, and not a second longer. Merrymaking after 10 pm is discouraged, so people sleeping will not be disturbed. In other words, “the police invite supporters to celebrate discreetly, respecting the nighttime rest period” of the population.  

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  The Federal Roads Office has granted PostBus Switzerland a permit to operate self-driving vehicles in eastern Switzerland. Safety drivers will still be on board, from 2027 on, the “AmiGo” vehicles are set to carry passengers. PostBus Switzerland said that since June 1, self-driving cars have been operating in an 80-square-kilometre area covering St Gallen, Appenzell Outer Rhodes, and Appenzell Inner Rhodes. Safety drivers are permitted to take their hands off the wheel, which is described as “hands-free”. Normal operations with up to 25 vehicles without safety drivers are expected to begin in 2027. The “AmiGo” vehicles, will operate at a Level 4 (called highly automated) once fully deployed. Operators monitor the journeys from a control centre and can intervene if necessary.