BERN, SWITZERLAND – Switzerland will soon have full-service 24-hour shops and restaurants at gas stations on roads “with heavy tourist traffic”. The law currently differs for shops and restaurants on main tourist routes, with shops closed between 01:00 and 05:00 at stations that are open non-stop and that have cafes, but changes to the law will end the shop sales bans.
The ruling Federal Council agreed to back a parliamentary initiative that will simplify the situation for the petrol stations and end confusion for consumers. The rationale has been that the stations should only offer “essential” services, but in reality managing the distinction has been a problem, the council concedes, and the full service in a limited number of areas will provide night workers, for example, with an important service.
The council insisted, however, on adding “with heavy tourist traffic” to the phrase “along major traffic routes” to avoid conflicts with laws governing Sunday and night work, laws the council says must remain in place.
The law applies only if cantonal law allows night and Sunday openings.
Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - The CHF5 you now pay if you’ve rushed onto a Swiss train without buying your ticket in advance will go up to CHF10 on Switzerland’s national day, 1 August. The CFF rail company and public transport authorities have agreed to the increase in order to discourage the growing number of people who get on trains without a ticket, slowing down ticket-checkers and making it difficult for them to complete their tour of the train.
