The TVS capacity allocation body (TVS) is an independent, federal public-law institution that has its own legal status. In association with this body, the Swiss federal government aims to ensure healthy competition in the railway system, and in so doing, ensure that rail capacities are exploited as efficiently as possible. TVS started operating on 1 January 2021, taking over from the former organisation, Trasse Schweiz AG, which was owned by the three largest standard-gauge railway companies and the Public Transport Association (VöV).