Bad news for tourists driving south via Switzerland. The country is taking major steps towards a new ‘transit tax’. Those who only drive from border to border without staying overnight may have to pay extra in the future, in addition to the road vignette.
The transport committee of the Swiss parliament has given the green light to the controversial plan with an overwhelming majority (16 to 2). This gives the bill, originally from politician Marco Chiesa (SVP), a crucial boost.
It concerns a flexible levy. The price would not be fixed, but would vary based on the day, time, and traffic density. On black Saturdays, you would therefore pay the full price. The goal is clear: to discourage or spread transit traffic to relieve the local population and nature.
To prove that you are not a transit tourist, you would have to be able to demonstrate that you have had a stay in Switzerland, for example, by staying overnight.
Not Yet Final
Nevertheless, the tax is not yet a reality. The Swiss Minister of Transport, Albert Rösti, is skeptical. He warns of a logistical nightmare: all border crossings would have to be permanently controlled, presumably via cameras with license plate recognition.
Furthermore, there are fears of tensions with the European Union, although the tax would not be legally discriminatory as long as it applies to everyone who does not stop. The proposal now moves to the federal parliament (National Council), which will likely consider it in the spring.
Fine for Stays Less Than 15 Minutes
Earlier, there was already controversy about a Swiss measure whereby motorists who stay in a village for less than fifteen minutes automatically receive a fine of 100 Swiss francs (approximately 107 euros). Cameras register the duration of vehicles’ stay, and those who stay too short pay, as reported by the German opinion magazine Focus .
The rule has been in effect since September and aims to combat cut-through traffic. Many motorists, during highway congestion, diverted to villages like Birsfelden, resulting in increasing traffic congestion and nuisance.