The Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world’s longest railway tunnel, is scheduled to fully reopen for both passenger and freight services on September 2, 2024, according to Swiss Federal Railways (SBB).
On August 19, 2024, trial operations began with trains once again passing through the repaired western tube of the 57-kilometre tunnel. The first commercial train, a morning service departing from Chiasso to Basel SBB at 5:30 a.m., successfully navigated the tunnel. This was followed by a freight service operated by SBB Cargo International, transporting goods from Ludwigshafen, Germany, to Gallarate, Italy.
The test runs are part of a comprehensive safety procedure similar to the initial commissioning of the tunnel in 2016. Last week, SBB successfully concluded test operations involving measurement, test, and service trains. Now, with approval from the Federal Office of Transport, SBB is proceeding with trial operations that will continue until the tunnel’s full recommissioning in September.
Before resuming full services, SBB will carry out extensive cleaning runs and additional technical checks. The focus will be on ensuring smooth operations between the tunnel’s infrastructure and the trains, particularly during north-to-south journeys through the western tube.