Neuchatel, Switzerland (GenevaLunch.com) – Use of transport by individuals has doubled in Switzerland from 1970 to 2008, but growing use of transport for merchandise shows an even more dramatic change, tripling in 30 years. The figures are part of a new statistical study of shifts in transport use in Switzerland, released Monday 21 June by the Swiss federal government. More complete statistics on transport will be compiled partly as a result of the impact on the economy of the Iceland volcanic eruption earlier this year.

The study shows that of the 5.4 million motor vehicles registered in Switzerland in 2009, 4 million are private cars.

And while greater use of transport provides several benefits to the economy, it comes at a price:

one-third of energy consumption in Switzerland and 37 percent of CO2 comes from transport
nearly 21,000 road accidents in 2008 caused injuries to people
the total cost of road traffic in 2005 (most recent year figures are available) was CHF70.5 billion, and rail traffic total costs that year were CHF11.4 billion.