GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Sep 19, 2026
Modal shift mandate
The Swiss modal shift mandate is the obligation, anchored in the Federal Constitution (Alpine Protection Article, 1994) and in the Goods Transport Transfer Act, to shift trans-Alpine freight transit from road to rail.
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Source: https://www.bav.admin.ch/de/verlagerung-des-gueterverkehrs-durch-die-alpen
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Definition & Explanation
The Swiss modal shift mandate is the obligation, anchored in the Federal Constitution (Alpine Protection Article, 1994) and in the Goods Transport Transfer Act, to shift trans-Alpine freight transit from road to rail. The act sets a target of no more than 650,000 Alpine-crossing lorry trips per year. It is implemented through the distance-related heavy vehicle charge, the build-out of the NEAT base tunnels and the four-metre corridor, and operating subsidies for combined transport. The Federal Office of Transport reports on progress every six months; the statutory target has not yet been met.
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