Discussions among Swiss residents concerning traveler fees for transportation services
In a bid to alleviate traffic congestion, particularly in high-traffic areas such as Uri, Swiss parliamentarians have proposed a "transit toll" for tourists who travel through the country without staying overnight. However, as of mid-2025, there is no explicit information indicating that this proposal has been implemented.
The purpose of the proposed toll is to distribute traffic more evenly, particularly in areas like Uri, which experiences significant traffic jams during holidays and at the start of vacations. The Gotthard road tunnel, an important north-south connection through the Alps, is not directly mentioned in relation to this proposed toll.
The proposal has been submitted by five parties, including Simon Stadler from the "Die Mitte" party. If implemented, the toll would charge drivers depending on traffic, provided they are registered as "passing through without significant stay in the country."
The number plates of cars would be scanned at the borders upon entry and exit for the implementation of the transit toll. Higher prices would be applied during holidays and at the start of vacations, while lower prices would be applied on weekdays.
It's important to note that the Swiss government, specifically the Federal Council, would need to express its opinion on the proposed transit toll. Currently, transit through the Gotthard tunnel is covered by the mandatory Swiss motorway vignette for 40 francs (about 43 euros) per year.
Recent developments in Swiss tolling have primarily focused on the digitization and rollout of a national truck toll system. This new system aims for efficient, barrier-free toll collection, primarily targeting commercial vehicles rather than private or tourist vehicles passing through without overnight stays. No mention has been made about a toll aimed at non-resident tourists or transit traffic within these updates.
The digitized toll system for trucks is designed to enhance operational efficiency and scalability in toll collection, which can indirectly affect traffic flow by potentially encouraging more regulated and sustainable transport practices on major roads. However, since no transit toll for tourists has been reported, any direct effect on tourist traffic distribution or changes in transit routes due to such a toll is not currently documented.
In Uri, located at the northern portal of the Gotthard road tunnel, residents suffer greatly from high traffic in the area. Residents and parliamentarians alike express frustration with the current situation, and the proposed transit toll is seen as a potential solution to address this issue.
However, negotiations with neighbouring countries may be necessary before the transit toll can come into effect. The compatibility of the proposed transit toll with the land transport agreement between Switzerland and the EU is still under examination. As the Swiss Parliament will not meet again until September, the future of the proposed transit toll remains uncertain.
- The community policy proposed by the Swiss parliamentarians involves the implementation of a "transit toll" targeting non-resident tourists who travel without significant stay in the country, with the aim of reducing traffic congestion in high-traffic areas like Uri.
- Implementation of this policy is dependent on the express opinion of the Swiss Federal Council and potential negotiations with neighboring countries to ensure compatibility with existing land transport agreements.
- If approved and implemented, this policy would involve scanning car number plates at borders to charge tourists based on traffic and time of travel, with higher prices during holidays and at the start of vacations, and lower prices on weekdays.
- While the Federal Council has yet to express its opinion, recent developments in Swiss tolling have focused on the digitization and rollout of a national truck toll system, with no mention of a similar transit toll for non-resident tourists or transit traffic. This implies that the direct effect on tourist traffic distribution or changes in transit routes due to such a toll is currently uncertain.
