Rhaetian Railway signs new deal with Taiwan

Context

In brief

• The Rhaetian Railway has signed a collaboration agreement with Taiwan's Alishan Forest Railway.
• The agreement aims to promote mutual marketing initiatives and exchange technical and operational expertise between the two railway operators.

Key Facts

• What: Collaboration agreement between Rhaetian Railway and Alishan Forest Railway.
• When: The contract was signed today.
• Where: The partnership involves Switzerland and Taiwan.
• Who: The Rhaetian Railway and Alishan Forest Railway are the key players in this agreement.

The Rhaetian Railway, renowned for its UNESCO-listed Red Train, has signed a collaboration agreement today with Taiwan's Alishan Forest Railway, a railway that traverses the country's mountainous forests. This marks the third international partnership for the Red Train, which has previously established similar agreements with Japan's Hakone Tozan Railway and Canada's Rocky Mountaineer.

📊 Objectives of the Agreement The partnership focuses on two main aspects: mutual promotion and knowledge exchange. Mutual promotion will include joint marketing initiatives, such as tourist packages that combine railway experiences in both destinations. The Alishan Forest Railway, which spans 86 km and reaches an altitude of over 2,216 meters, shares a strong connection with international tourism and sustainable transport, much like the Rhaetian Railway.

From a technical standpoint, the focus will be on operational optimization. The Rhaetian Railway will share its expertise in managing high-altitude railway routes and technologies to reduce environmental impact, while the Alishan Forest Railway will contribute solutions for operating on steep mountain lines and in tropical climate conditions.

💡 Tourism Implications for Ticino Thanks to the new tourist flows generated by this collaboration, Ticino could benefit indirectly. Foreign visitors choosing the Rhaetian Railway for its scenic routes might also be encouraged to visit other regional attractions, such as the Monte Generoso funicular or the Ponte Tresa train. According to 2022 data, railway tourism generated over 1 million visitors in the Swiss Alpine region, with an estimated economic impact of around 250 million francs.

⚠️ Operational Challenges The collaboration also presents some challenges. For instance, differences in railway regulations between Switzerland and Taiwan could complicate the direct exchange of technologies. In Switzerland, the Federal Office of Transport (FOT) enforces strict railway safety standards, updated as of 2023, which may be difficult to implement within Taiwanese systems.

"This agreement symbolizes our global vision: uniting cultures and technologies to offer unique railway experiences," said Renato Fasciati, Director of the Rhaetian Railway.

Operational details

Implications for cross-border commuters

The agreement between the Rhaetian Railway and the Alishan Forest Railway could have significant implications for cross-border commuters who cross the border between Switzerland and Italy every day, especially those employed in the tourism, transport and logistics sectors. This new partnership could in fact encourage the development of infrastructures and services related to rail transport, opening up new job opportunities and improving accessibility for Italian workers operating in the Canton of Ticino.

For example, it is expected that greater promotion of railway lines could facilitate travel for cross-border commuters working in tourism-related sectors, such as in the areas of Lugano, Mendrisio or Bellinzona, where public transport is a key element for mobility. According to data from the Border Observatory, around 70,000 Italian cross-border commuters currently work in Ticino, many of whom use public transport daily to get to work.

A practical example could be the integration of rail services with offers dedicated to cross-border commuters, such as discounted fares or more flexible cross-border passes. The current Arcobaleno pass, for example, could be extended to include additional routes connecting Swiss and Italian lines, thus simplifying daily travel.

Benefits for tourists Tourists represent another segment that would benefit from this international collaboration. Through the partnership, rail routes could be developed that connect the Swiss Alps with the mountain forests of Taiwan, creating unique and attractive travel experiences for visitors from both nations.

A concrete example is the potential increase in tourist routes between places such as Tirano, the starting point of the famous Bernina Red Train, and Ticino destinations such as Locarno, which already enjoys a strong tourist presence. In 2022, rail tourism in Switzerland generated revenues of more than 50 million francs, according to data from the Federal Office of Transport. Extending this offer with international connections could further increase these figures.

Finally, improving rail connections could also help reduce road traffic, promoting more sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility.

Useful tools for your case To conveniently check your scenario within/over 20 km, use the calcolatore stipendio netto and guida dichiarazione redditi.

Key points

Action

To take advantage of this new agreement, cross-border workers traveling between Switzerland and Italy can explore the transportation options offered by the Rhaetian Railway. This operator, which has recently expanded its network thanks to the agreement with Taiwan, provides strategic and advantageous connections for those working in Ticino but residing in Italy.

For example, the railway connection between Tirano and St. Moritz, which crosses the Bernina Pass, is a particularly appreciated option among cross-border commuters coming from Valtellina. The monthly cost of a commuter pass for this route can range between 150 and 200 CHF, depending on applicable discounts.

Another example involves workers residing in Como who commute to Mendrisiotto. Thanks to new integrations with local railway services, it is possible to access transportation combinations that reduce travel times by up to 20%. For regular train users, the cost of the Arcobaleno cross-border subscription, which includes routes between Canton Ticino and Lombardy, starts at approximately 130 CHF per month.

Operational Checklist

• Visit the official Rhaetian Railway website to check the updated schedules and routes included in the agreement.
• Compare the costs of railway subscriptions with other modes of transport, such as cars, taking into account tolls and fuel.
• If you reside in Italian municipalities close to the border, such as Chiasso, Como, or Luino, check for potential tax benefits for cross-border workers.

CTA

To learn more about transportation services between Switzerland and Italy, visit our transport calculator.

Source: swissinfo.ch