The TVS’s responsibilities under the Railways Act
The TVS’s responsibilities are set out in Article 9f of the Railways Act.
Ensuring equal network access conditions for effective competition
For effective competition in open network access, all market participants must have equal access conditions. In the Swiss model of integrated railways with their own railway undertakings (RUs), the functions essential for open network access have been transferred to the independent TVS. These are:
- path planning (timetable preparation)
- path allocation
The setting and collection of the track access charges is also an essential function for open access. The track access charging system continues to be set by the Federal Office of Transport.
- TVS is responsible for collecting the track access charges on behalf of and for the account of the infrastructure managers.
Further tasks of TVS
The Confederation has assigned two further tasks to TVS:
- Operation of the railway infrastructure register
Pursuant to Article 15f of the Railways Ordinance, TVS maintains a register containing the information required for the operation of the infrastructure. The Railway Infrastructure Register is a database setting out technical requirements for rolling stock, broken down by line, within the infrastructure, energy and trackside train control/signalling subsystems. - The publication of the infrastructure operators’ investment plans, setting out their short- and medium-term investment projects, in coordination with the FOT.
This publication is intended to facilitate the involvement of railway undertakings in investment planning.