Swiss continue to be Europe’s champions of train travel; Zurich will give thousands of pensioners money to buy warm clothes for the winter; and more news in our roundup this Friday.
The Swiss are the European train champions – again
In 2024, each resident of Switzerland travelled an average of 2,519 kilometres by train, the Swiss Public Transport Information Service (LITRA) reported on Thursday.
This figure surpasses the record of 2,505 kilometres set in 2019.
On average, all Swiss residents used the train 71 times.
Compared to the previous year, both the number of kilometres travelled (+2.2 percent) and the number of journeys (+3.1) continued to increase, allowing Switzerland to remain at the top of the European ranking.
Zurich gives 15,000 pensioners a ‘winter coat allowance’
Around 15,000 Zurich pensioners who rely on supplementary benefits will receive an additional payment this winter, so they can purchase warm clothing.
The municipal council has allocated 8.75 million francs specifically for this purpose.
The payment will amount to 550 francs for single individuals, and 825 francs for married couples as well as single individuals with children.
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More details emerge about Geneva’s future public transport option
Geneva authorities have given more details on Thursday about this large-scale project.
Scheduled for completion in 15 to 20 years, an underground, high-frequency driverless train will stop at CERN, in the Zimeysa industrial zone, in Meyrin, at the airport, in the city centre, in Carouge, and in the future Praille-Acacias-Vernets district.
A connection to the cross-border Léman Express rail network will be located in Sécheron.
Other options are still under consideration, such as a stop at the Place Dorcière bus station or in Plainpalais.
The project’s goal is to ensure that 50 percent of the local population and 70 percent of jobs are served by a station located within 750 metres.
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Roman gold coins snatched in Swiss museum heist
Dozens of gold coins from the Roman period were stolen when a Swiss museum was robbed this week, police said Thursday, adding that the value of the bounty was still being calculated.
The Roman Museum in Lausanne was just about to close for the day on Tuesday when two men who had entered earlier after purchasing tickets jumped a security guard.
“The two individuals assaulted and overpowered the guard. They then broke into a secured display case and stole several gold coins that were displayed inside,” before fleeing, police said.
The 64-year-old security guard had activated the museum’s panic alarm, triggering a rapid response by law enforcement, but the perpetrators remained at large.
The guard, who was the only museum employee present at the time of the robbery, was “safe and sound”, despite the circumstances, they said.
“At this stage, an inventory is underway to determine the exact number of items stolen and to
identify other missing items,” (AFP)
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