Calls for new "transit tax" in Switzerland, to combat motorway congestion

A cross-party group is calling for a new “transit tax” on vehicles that travel through Switzerland without stopping, in an effort to ease congestion on the motorways during busy periods like the school holidays. 

Transit tax to target vehicles just passing through Switzerland

Just ahead of the holidays and peak traffic season, the topic of congestion is once again coming up on the political agenda. Five members of the major parties Centre, FDP, SVP, SP and the Greens have all submitted identical motions calling for a new tax to be levied on vehicles that pass through Switzerland. 

The motion states that if a vehicle “enters Switzerland from one neighbouring country and exits into another neighbouring country without a significant stay in the country”, the tax would be due. The amount of the tax would vary depending on the time of day and day of week, making prices higher during peak holiday season. 

According to the Tagesanzeiger, the proposal has broad parliamentary support, collecting signatures from the SVP, Centre, FDP, SP and Greens. It will now be put to parliament, but may well go to a referendum. 

More expensive e-vignette & Gotthard toll also suggested to combat congestion

The transit tax is not the only idea to have been floated recently. Centrist National Councillor Martin Candinas has called for the cost of the Swiss motorway vignette to be increased from 40 to 80 francs per year, while also reducing the mineral oil tax that drivers pay on petrol and diesel. This would see foreign motorists pay more to use Switzerland’s roads, while enabling Swiss drivers to benefit from lower fuel prices. 

In May, the lower house of the Swiss parliament rejected implementing a toll on the Gotthard Tunnel and other alpine crossings, but only very narrowly, by 91 votes to 90. Opinion polls show that the Swiss population is broadly in favour of additional motorway tolls to ease congestion.