Terra Raetica is to receive the Alpine Railway Cross

Chur/Graun, September 2020

Graubünden, Tyrol, South Tyrol and Lombardy want to create a joint and coordinated mobility system in their alpine border area, the Terra Raetica. The aim is to have an attractive alpine railway cross and a good connection to the international rail network.

Representatives from Graubünden, South Tyrol, Tyrol and Lombardy have agreed to improve cross-border mobility in the triangle between Switzerland, Austria and Italy, especially by rail. At a meeting in Graun im Vinschgau, they signed a letter of intent to this effect, according to a press release from the Canton of Graubünden .

Accordingly, the four regions want to coordinate their measures to create an integrated mobility system in what is known as the Terra Raetica. With an attractive alpine railway hub and the connection to the international rail network, the transalpine road traffic is to be reduced. This also reduces the environmental impact, "which in turn brings a touristic upgrade with it", it says in the message.

"Today we are laying the foundation for intensive cooperation and a vision for the future, a rail-alpine cross between Austria, Italy and Switzerland", the Tyrolean governor Günther Platter is quoted as saying. "The mobility of the future needs a courageous approach and this must not stop at national borders." For years, the motto has been "Boundless mobility – and that is car-free", says his deputy and Tyrolean regional traffic councilor Ingrid Felipe.

According to the Vice President of the Graubünden government, Mario Cavigelli, this agreement will create a valuable platform for exchanging information on needs and measures in public transport across borders. In the interests of the population and the economy, transport chains and transfer options between the various public transport systems in the four neighboring regions could be coordinated “as best as possible”.

In November, a group of experts will start planning a rail link in the Terra Raetica. It is accompanied by a steering committee made up of government representatives from the four neighboring regions.

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