Swiss to vote in February on financing main hub mega-upgrade

Lausanne train station Thursday evening 22 November 2013: the front marquee will be kept, but moved slightly

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Lausanne’s train station will need 12 years for a major facelift to its tracks and surrounding areas to be completed, but what an improvement for travelers and for links to Geneva is in the works!

The federal government and canton Vaud, with the CFF/SBB rail service, Friday presented the outlines of what may prove to be one of the most important train station improvements in Switzerland after the overhaul of the Geneva station, now nearing completion.

The CHF1 billion budget for Lausanne will be used to widen and lengthen the platforms, build underground passages and to revamp the  surrounding areas, including the Rue du Simplon, for better links with public transport.

The study for the project that is scheduled for completion in 2025 was financed by canton Vaud, but the overhaul of the rail lines is to be financed by the federal government; Swiss voters will have their say on paying the CHF1 billion price tag, in a 9 February vote.

The improvements will solidify Lausanne’s role as a key hub in the national rail system and it should greatly improve Lake Geneva regional public transport links as the number of trains rises, as well as their frequency .

The main Lausanne station changes planned

• The platforms will be lengthened to accommodate the crowds using new 400-metre long trains.
• Platforms will be made more secure and widened to better handle the increased passenger traffic: the number of people using the Lausanne station is expected to double by 2030.
• The two underground passages will be increased to three and will be completely rebuilt to improve passenger flow.
• The number of train connections will be increased “significantly”, first on a regional level, then nationally, in the next few years.
• The changes to the station will involve major construction work, but the number of trains available will not be reduced while the construction takes place.
• Links with the areas north and south of the station will be completely redesigned to improve public transport connections, which will be increased.
• The historic marquee on the front of the station will be moved slightly but will be kept.

Schedule: work starts in 2017, more regional connection in 2018

Building permits should be approved by the end of 2014, according to plans, and by 2018 additional regional rail links will be offered, with the overall increase in rail links completed by 2025.