Project status
What’s on at CST?
In recent years, CST has invested over CHF 100 million in the development of a new, sustainable freight transport system. The project review was completed in spring 2025. In the summer of the same year, an independent external validation confirmed that the system is technically feasible and, in principle, eligible for approval, with positive implications for the environment and transport. CST is backed by over 50 companies from the transport, logistics, retail, finance, insurance, telecoms and energy sectors – one of the broadest private-sector consortia for an infrastructure project in Switzerland. In response to the delay in the planning permission process, CST initiated a restructuring in 2025. This is working as planned: staff and operating costs have been consistently reduced, and the monthly cash outflow has fallen significantly compared with mid-2024.
Outstanding issues
During the validation process, questions regarding the demonstration of economic and social benefits remained unresolved. The Swiss Government classified these uncertainties as decisive and ordered a halt to planning at CST and the suspension of the authorisation procedure in September 2025. The tunnel has therefore not been abandoned, but is not currently feasible. Resolving this issue does not lie solely in the hands of CST, but requires the political will to create the necessary framework conditions. The Federal Act on the Underground Transport of Goods (UGüTG) – which serves as the basis for a private operator – in itself does not provide a stable framework for private capital.
What we’re working on
CST is scaling back its operational activities to a minimum and preserving the company’s financial stability so that it is ready to resume planning once the political framework is in place. This does not mean the project has been abandoned; it will retain its capacity to act over the next 10 to 15 years. At the same time, CST is putting its expertise to use with the aim of securing political support for the framework necessary for a future revival of the project. During the autumn session of Parliament in 2025, the Federal Council stated that the door would remain open for CST, even if the regulatory framework remained unchanged for the time being.
Interest from abroad
There is genuine international interest in the technology developed by CST, with the strongest interest coming from Japan: in August 2026, CST welcomed a delegation from the Japanese Highway Industry Development Organisation (HIDO) in Olten for a technical exchange. The visit confirmed that CST is recognised as a technology and systems partner across the entire value chain – from technology and operations to economic efficiency and governance. CST is keeping its options open regarding the marketing of its cable car and conveyor technology. This demonstrates that the assets it has built up can also create value outside Switzerland.
