Zurich trams are often involved in accidents; Geneva traffic is a ‘nightmare,’ residents say; and more Swiss news in our roundup on Tuesday.
Collisions involving trams are a recurring problem in Zurich
Accidents involving trams are a regular occurrence in Zurich’s city traffic.
They not only crash into other vehicles, but also collide with each other, with sometimes tragic consequences.
In 2024 alone, six people died in accidents involving trams.
One of the reasons, according to eyewitnesses cited in the media, is that “the speed at which the trams snake through the already dense city traffic is far too high.”
Officials, however, deny this claim.
“We are increasingly observing how everyday traffic is becoming more and more hectic,” Zurich transport company VBZ and municipal authorities said in a joint statement.
This means that trams have to share “the limited traffic space, with other forms of mobility.”
Another factor: the tram’s right-of-way “is often ignored” by other vehicles. This is dangerous, because trams “have a braking distance three times longer than a car.”
In Geneva, traffic is ‘turning into a nightmare,’ residents say
As construction sites are multiplying throughout the city, Geneva’s streets are continually congested, with residents and local businesses complaining about this “untenable situation,” according to report by RTS public broadcaster.
And this problem will not be solved anytime soon because the biggest project, by Geneva Industrial Services (SIG) to install a new heating system, is expected to last at least until 2045.
“We must expect difficult years ahead,” said Geneva politician Pierre Maudet.
He added, however, that the congestion can be at least partly relieved by better coordination of construction sites , as well as increased use of carpooling by residents.
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Positive forecasts for Switzerland’s economy in 2025, caution for 2026
UBS economists are forecasting Swiss GDP growth of 1.3 percent in 2025 — up from 1 percent
They are, however, more pessimistic about 2026, due to the threat of US tariffs, and their destabilising effect on the economy.
“In the coming quarters, US tariffs are expected to have a negative impact on exports, and GDP is therefore expected to stagnate,” economists said.
Consequently, GDP growth is expected to slow down to around 1 percent.
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Swiss glacier collapse could cost huge sums
The dramatic collapse of Switzerland’s Birch glacier on May 28th, which completely wiped out the Valais village of Blatten, is a “major disaster that is virtually unprecedented in its scale and impact on the affected population”, the Swiss Insurance Association (SIA) said on Monday.
While “it not yet possible to give a precise estimate of the extent of the damage”, Eduard Held, the association’s specialist in damage caused by natural hazards, estimated “a loss of of several hundred million francs.” (AFP).
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