Is a tunnel toll coming to the Gotthard in Switzerland?

Gotthard tunnel: important north-south link in the Alps

The Gotthard tunnel is mainly used by travellers from southwestern Germany on their way to Italy or southern France and is passed by around six million vehicles every year. It is one of the biggest traffic jams in Switzerland, especially during the peak travel periods of Easter, Whitsun and summer, resulting in slow-moving traffic with congestion for many kilometres. 

Swiss traffic planners want to take an example from the congestion charge in London. Since the introduction of a flexible congestion charge in 2013, the volume of traffic and the resulting congestion in the British metropolis has fallen by a good 30 percent. Special tolls on Alpine passes have also long been common practice in some neighbouring countries, such as on the Brenner motorway in Austria and in the Mont Blanc and Fréjus road tunnels in France.

Toll for the Gotthard tunnel could cost 20 euros

Currently, driving through the Gotthard tunnel is included in the annual price of the Swiss vignette. However, some Swiss politicians have plans to charge a variable fee in the form of a special toll for all vehicles that want to go through the tunnel. 

Although these are only plans so far, they are considered quite realistic by observers and could find a majority in parliament. The politicians are calling for a flexible pricing system, which means that tunnel tolls would be adjusted according to demand and traffic volume. As a result, holidaymakers would have to pay higher fees during travel periods, whereas the local population would receive concessions. 

According to media reports, a fee of the equivalent of about 20 euros per tunnel passage is being discussed. During the high season, the fee would be higher, while it would be lower in the low season in January or November.

Special tolls make holidays more expensive

Transport experts are sceptical about the fact that it is precisely during the holiday season that the highest charges are levied to encourage holidaymakers to travel outside peak times or on public holidays. They argue that travellers are not completely free to choose their holiday dates because they are tied to holiday periods and fixed bed changes. 

And, no motorist voluntarily stands in a traffic jam, which makes the desired steering effect through the charge seem rather unlikely. De facto, holidays will become significantly more expensive for travellers. Moreover, the "successful" introduction of a special toll could possibly turn into a lucrative model, leading to extra tolls being charged at other tunnels and passes as well. 

Finally, there is still the danger that traffic will shift to secondary routes, municipalities and less well-equipped as well as less safe Alpine roads for cost reasons.