Swiss finally agree to take 40-tonners
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by Martial Tardy • UK hauliers can now transit Switzerland in 40tonne trucks—but by 2005 they'll be paying £132 for the privilege.
The deal between the EU and the Swiss government has taken four years to hammer out but, despite this and the cost of a crossing. the EU Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock describes it as "very substantial progress".
Until now Switzerland has limited trucks crossing its borders to 28 tonnes, forcing most transalpine traffic through France and Austria. "The total cost to EU business of diversion is conservatively estimated at £ 106 m per year", says the European Commission.
The 28-tonne limit will finally end in 2005; until then heavier (rucks will be limited by a quota system.
From 1999 up to 120,000 fully loaded 40-tonners a year will be allowed over the border, for an average transit charge of 180 Swiss Francs (£74).
The quota will be raised to 200,000 in 2001 and to 300,000 in 2003—with transit charges rising at the same time. The high charges are described by the Swiss as an incentive to use road/rail transport.
Starting in 1999, 120,000 empty trucks will be allowed to drive across Switzerland every year for a transit charge of 70 Swiss Francs (£29).