The Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT) has introduced a couple of adjustments to the safety provisions for rail freight traffic issued on 11 September 2025. These provisions were introduced after the Swiss Safety Investigation Service (Sisi) published its report in June 2025 on the Gotthard Base Tunnel accident. The investigation highlighted a systematic risk of wheel fractures in freight trains, requiring immediate action to reduce the likelihood of further incidents. However, the new safety rules have triggered protests and opposition from operators and associations across Europe.
According to the FOT, the amendments, defined on 23 October, are based on additional technical evidence and extensive consultation with railway stakeholders. The office recalls that it had already stated in September that the measures could be revised in light of new technical information. The October adjustments concern two main aspects. The first is the definition of criteria for technical inspections of wagons, which will henceforth be determined solely by the distance travelled. This change stems from newly available data on the average kilometre performance of freight wagons and from the principle, already enshrined in regulations, that wagon keepers must always be able to monitor the condition of their rolling stock. On this basis, the FOT has removed the additional inspection deadline introduced in September.
The second amendment concerns a one-year extension, until the end of 2026, for carrying out the required technical inspections. The decision, formalised on 9 October, followed further discussions with companies in the sector, which underlined the need to carry out initial inspections in fixed workshops. This requirement made it necessary to grant more time to ensure implementation of the new safety rules without disrupting service continuity.
Aside from these changes, the FOT is keeping all other measures from September unchanged, including the increase in the minimum wheel diameter for certain wheel types, the obligation to intervene in cases of overheating, and the introduction of percussion testing. The office does not foresee any further changes at present. It confirms its intention to contribute to a shared European solution. Although the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) has not yet followed up on Sisi’s recommendations, the FOT has decided to act independently to ensure the safety of freight transport in Switzerland, while maintaining an open dialogue with European bodies with a view to possible future alignment of measures.
