Cross-border shopping is not as lucrative for Swiss consumers as they believe, a study shows; yet another German train arrives consistently late in Switzerland; and more news in our Tuesday roundup.
Swiss shoppers ‘significantly overestimate’ price advantages abroad
Many people from Switzerland cross the border to neighbour countries to buy cheaper products.
However, according to a recent study by the University of St. Gallen, they vastly overestimate price advantages abroad.
Study’s participants estimate goods in Switzerland to be around 66 percent more expensive than in neighbouring countries, while in fact the actual price difference in the five product categories studied is an average of 40 percent.
And prices at some retailers– like Lidl and Aldi – are either identical or sometimes even cheaper in Switzerland than abroad, the study found.
Yet another German train arrives consistently late in Switzerland
The rail link between Munich and Zurich is supposed to be faster and more reliable following an expensive upgrade.
But the reality is different: not a single train arrived on time recently – and there is even a threat of further deterioration.
The expansion of this Deutsche Bahn (DB) line – to which Switzerland contributed 50 million euros – was supposed to put this train on the right track, in terms of punctuality.
But that has not happened, adding this particular DB route to others that are notorious for chronically late arrivals on the Swiss soil – forcing Swiss national railways (SBB) to stop German trains at the border and transferring passengers to waiting SBB trains.
READ ALSO: Another Swiss canton demands delayed Deutsche Bahn trains stop at border
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Basel initiative seeks to ban trams from the city centre
Trams run frequently between Marktplatz and Barfüsserplatz in Basel’s Old Town district, but a new initiative is attempting to change that.
Its proponents say the historic centre should no longer be “cut up by the streetcars,” seeking to eliminate this public transport option and turn the area into a fully pedestrian zone.
Signatures to bring this issue to the ballot box are currently being collected.
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Climate crisis: Swiss Alps lose up to 8 cm of snow every decade
Over the past 60 years, the snow cover in the Swiss Alps has been shrinking by up to 8 cm every 10 years – which is considered a lot.
This is what emerges from a new study carried out by The Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF).
“This is the first time we’ve been able to show trends on a national scale and for different altitudes,” said a SLF climatologist Christoph Marty. “We see the consequences of climate change very clearly here.”
The higher the altitude, the greater the decrease in snow cover, the study found.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch
