From the Swiss schöllenenschlucht gorge to Brussels city

Never lost for an idea. Since 1989, people from the Alpine Initiative have committed themselves to protecting the mountains they live in. To halt the transit folly, they draw on ideas from the Alpine culture. They win every referendum and their style is known all over Europe: competent,convincing and always good for a surprise.
December 2008 - A smart idea for the Alpine Crossing Exchange
From 14 December 2009 onward, the Intercity 543 from Salzburg to Vienna will be named „Alpentransitbörse“ (Alpine Crossing Exchange) for two years. The name will be announced at each stop and be mentioned in the train timetables, the train information leaflets distributed on the trains, on the train displays and also displayed on the train itself.
September 2008 - S-Cargo Helveticus is trying hard...
To win over National Councillors (Members of the Swiss Parliament) for the transfer of freight traffic from road to rail, the Alpine Initiative sweetened its request with delicious S-Cargo Helveticus chocolates.
July 2008 - Keep an eye on the protection of the Alps
With ironic postcards addressed to the National Councillors (Members of the Swiss Parliament), supporters of the Alpine Initiative reminded their politicians of the Article on the Protection of the Alps and demanded a consistent transfer of freight transport from road to rail. This action was to remind the National Council of the will of the Swiss people during the upcoming parliamentary debate on the Freight Traffic Transfer Act in September.
October 2007 - The moment of truth has come
In a symbolic action, members of the Alpine Initiative distributed sausages, which are a symbol of the moment of truth in German-speaking countries, to parliamentarians in front of the Swiss Pparliament. They did this to highlight their request to the Council of States (Small Chamber) to adopt the Alpine Crossing Exchange and transfer transalpine freight traffic from road to rail.
January 2007 - Alpine Initiative is awarded Prix Watt dOr
The Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) awarded the Prix Watt d’Or to the Alpine Initiative for its innovative idea of an Alpine Crossing Exchange.
November 2006 - Popular Consultation on freight transfer from road to rail
During a “popular consultation” of the Alpine Initiative, more than 40,000 citizens demanded that the Federal Council (Swiss Government) finally does its job properly.
November 2005 - Red Devils Stone for Trimmis incineration plant
In Eastern Switzerland, waste trucks cross each other heading in opposite directions. A number of trucks transport waste from Southern Germany to Trimmis in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. At the same time, the Oberengadin Waste Management Association exports its waste from Graubünden to Niederurnen, in the canton of Glarus. The Trimmis incinerator also burns waste from Ticino.
July 2005 - Protest action against the delay of the transfer from road to rail
In a reaction to the preliminary draft of the Transit Traffic Transfer Act, the Alpine Initiative protested against the delay of the transfer from road to rail. “Echo” magazine n° 82 contained postcards that were to be sent to the Swiss Transport Minister Moritz Leuenberger. People could also send e-cards to the Federal Office of Transport, to push for the transfer from road to rail. The action was a success, with numerous cards being sent.
November 2004 - The Alps still suffer from a surfeit of trucks
On the occasion of the publication of the second transfer report, an action by the Alpine Initiative in front of the Swiss Parliament illustrated that the Alps were still suffering from a surfeit of trucks. The speed of the transfer from road to rail remains inadequate. To achieve the transfer objective, it would be necessary to transfer 10.5 per cent of freight traffic or 108,000 trips per year. Only an Alpine Crossing Exchange, with clear limits on transit trips, will relieve the Alps from this malady.
October 2004 - Red Devil’s Stone for Délifrance SA
The Alpine Initiative regularly draws the public’s attention to absurd transport by awarding the “Red Devil’s Stone”. In 2004, this little-coveted prize is awarded to Délifrance SA. Délifrance bread is produced in the Netherlands and then transported to Swiss shops where it is baked.
February 2004 - The Swiss people say no to the „Avanti rip-off“
On February 8th, the Swiss electorate reject the Avanti counter-proposal with a majority of 62.8%; at a canton level the road lobby even suffers a 26:0 defeat. Shortly before the 10th anniversary of the constitutional article for the protection of the Alps, the Swiss thus clearly reject an undermining of the protection of the Alps. Contrary to a majority of the parliament, the Swiss people do not want to have anything to do with doubling the capacity of the St. Gotthard road tunnel. This success confirms the Alpine Initiative in its commitment.
October 2003 - Red Devil’s Stone for Nestlé Waters
On 6 October 2003, activists of the Alpine Initiative present Nestlé Waters (Switzerland) with the Red Devil’s Stone at the company’s headquarters in Gland VD. Nestlé Water is a worldwide leader in the marketing of water and generates vast quantities of absurd transport by making profits out of water.
August 2003 - Demonstration against congested thinking in transport policy
On the Gotthard Pass, the Alpine Initiative and Leventina Vivibile demonstrate against the Avanti Initiative and doubling the capacity of the St. Gotthard road tunnel. After the unveiling of a commemorative “think about it” stone in protest against congested thinking in transport policy, a bonfire is lit to draw attention to the resistance against road transport.
February 2003 - No more polluting lorries in Switzerland
The pre-1988 “Euro 0” category of lorries is no longer allowed to use the Mont Blanc and Fréjus tunnels nor, in the near future, the Brenner Pass. The Alpine Initiative demands that these foul polluting lorries are also banned across Switzerland.
February 2003 - More roads don’t create more jobs
Using the example of two regions in the Swiss canton Uri, economist Pia Steiner shows that a good transport network stops neither a population exodus nor job losses. The study was commissioned by the Alpine Initiative.
October 2002 - Eventful autumn in Courmayeur
The Mont Blanc tunnel entrance is blocked once again to protest against its use by heavy lorries. The demonstration is supported by the Alpine Initiative.
October 2002 - Award of the Red Devil’s Stone
The Swiss supermarkets Migros and Coop transport their whipped cream up to 2,000 km to have it packaged into spray cans. This nonsensical transport wins the Alpine Initiative’s first “Red Devil’s Stone” award.
October 2002 - Commemoration of the accident in the St. Gotthard tunnel
The Alpine Initiative uses huge candles to commemorate the eleven people killed during the accident in the St. Gotthard road tunnel a year earlier.
June 2002 - Massive demonstrations at the Mont Blanc tunnel
Several thousand people, including activists from the Alpine Initiative, block the entry to the Mont Blanc tunnel to demonstrate against the use of the tunnel by heavy lorries.
May 2002 - Together against noise
Together with the Swiss Doctors for the Environment, the Alpine Initiative shows how much of a negative effect permanent noise pollution has.
May 2002 - Demand for an Alpine transit exchange market
The Alpine Initiative proposes the introduction of an Alpine transit exchange market. This is to help regulate traffic at its source.
April 2002 - Enormous success for the Alpine tunnel petition
The Alpine tunnel petition is submitted in Bern with around 137,000 signatures.
April 2002 - Transit conference in Munich
The international transit conference in Munich discusses sustainable mobility in the Alpine region.
April 2002 - First report on the transfer of traffic
The first report on the transfer of traffic by the Swiss government shows that transport trends in Switzerland are moving in the right direction, but that there is still a long way to go.
February 2002 - Launching of an Alpine petition
The launching of the Alpine tunnel petition in Göschenen, Airolo and Thusis opens the campaign against the doubling of the capacity of the St. Gotthard road tunnel
November 2001 - Mountain manifesto
Together with 93 other environmental and transport organisations from across Europe, the Alpine Initiative launches the mountain manifesto, a catalogue of demands for an international policy on Alpine transport that is environmentally friendly and socially compatible.
October 2001 - International Action Day
Before the reopening of the Mont Blanc Tunnel, a big demonstration is held on and near the Fréjus motorway. A dozen solidarity actions are also held in France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
October 2001 - Accident in the St. Gotthard road tunnel
Eleven people die in a tragic accident in the St. Gotthard road tunnel
September 2001 - Ban on Mont Blanc Lorries
At a press conference in Bern the Alpine Initiative supports the demand of the population of the Chamonix valley, who demand that lorries are no longer allowed to use the Mont Blanc tunnel after its reopening.
August 2001 - Warning fires in the Alps
During the night of Saturday, 11 August 2001, numerous warning and resistance fires are lit across the entire Alpine region from Vienna to Nice.
Juily 2001 - Alpine Express
The Alpine Initiative asks the railways to increase their provision and make it more attractive and to thus make a contribution to reducing traffic jams at the St. Gotthard tunnel.
May 2001 - Solidarity at the Mont Blanc tunnel
The Alpine Initiative shows solidarity with the population of the Mont Blanc area and demands that the tunnel must not be reopened for lorries. Instead, the government should push through the transfer of freight traffic to from road to rail.
March 2001 - Transit conference in Locarno
The international transit conference in Locarno addresses the dangers of transporting hazardous material.
February 2001 - Kilometre-based HGV taxes for the whole of Europe
The Alpine Initiative asks for a European-wide introduction of a kilometre-based tax on heavy goods vehicles along the lines of the Swiss model.
November 2000 - Submission of the Avanti Initiative
The Avanti Initiative which, among other things, asks for a second bore for the St. Gotthard road tunnel, i.e. the doubling of its capacity is submitted to the Swiss authorities. The Alpine Initiative, together with 20 other environmental organisations, gets organised to fight this push for new roads
August 2000 - 20th anniversary of the St. Gotthard road tunnel
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the St Gotthard road tunnel, the Alpine Initiative dresses the devil’s stone near the motorway in red, erects a commemorative sculpture by Fredy Odermatt and holds a demonstration party to draw people’s attention to the problem of increasing transit traffic.
July 2000 - Alpine Initiative in Liechtenstein
The Liechtenstein population is asked to vote on an initiative similar to the Swiss model. It targets the increasing transit traffic from Germany via Lake Constance and Liechtenstein in the direction of the San Bernardino Pass.
May 2000 - Breathless
An in-depth study by the Alpine Initiative demonstrates the effects of Alpine transit traffic on air pollution and thus the quality of life in Alpine valleys.
April 2000 - Change of Leadership
A new president for the Alpine Initiative: Fabio Pedrina replaces Andreas Weissen.
March 2000 - Transit conference in Chamonix
The transit conference in Chamonix addresses the tragic accident in the Mont Blanc tunnel and the explosive growth in traffic.
February 2000 - Alpine Initiative demands piggyback transport
Shortly after the catastrophes in the Mont Blanc and Tauern tunnels, the Alpine Initiative asks for piggyback transport of lorries on the St. Gotthard railway between Göschenen and Airolo to reduce the risk of accidents in the St. Gotthard road tunnel.
December 1999 - Signing of the transport agreement
The Swiss government and the EU agree on a bilateral land transport agreement. In a joint press release, the environmental and transport organisations Alpine Initiative, VCS, Greenpeace, Pro Natura and WWF and the railworkers’ trade union SEV warn of the negative effects of the treaty and explicitly ask for accompanying measures within Switzerland.
October 1999 - St. Gotthard motorway blocked
A rock concert on the Saint Gotthard motorway blocks the road for about an hour.
June 1999 - Demand for a European kilometre tax for heavy goods vehicles
Demand for a European kilometre tax for heavy goods vehicles
Together with other environmental organisations, the Alpine Initiative launches an international petition to the European Parliament in which it asks for the introduction of a kilometre-based HGV tax for the whole of Europe
March 1999 - Disaster in the Mont Blanc Road Tunnel
A transit lorry catches fire in the tunnel. 39 people are killed.
February 1999 - Transit conference in Arles-sur-Rhone
The fifth international transit conference takes place in Southern France. It debates the regional economy, transport infrastructures, citizens’ participation and a kilometre-based vehicle tax for the whole of Europe.
November 1998 - Switzerland accepts financing of public sector projects
The Swiss people accept the law on the construction and financing of infrastructure projects in the public transport sector with a majority of 63.5%.
September 1998 - Switzerland adopts a kilometre-based heavy vehicles tax
A kilometre-based heavy vehicles tax is adopted by the Swiss people with an unexpectedly decisive majority of 57.2%.
October 1997 - A night ban for the whole of Europe
On the occasion of an international action day, the Alpine Initiative demands the observance of the night ban in Switzerland and its extension to the whole of Europe.
March 1997 - Giezendanner vs. Alpine Initiative
Swiss people’s party (SVP) National councillor and haulier Ulrich Giezendanner wants to “correct” the Article on the Protection of the Alps by means of a parliamentary initiative.
February 1997 - Transit conference in Innsbruck
Innsbruck hosts the fourth international transit conference which discusses the topic of true costs.
June 1996 - First blockade of the St. Gotthard motorway
The St. Gotthard action committee “Transfer Now” blocks the St. Gotthard motorway.
March 1996 - No doubling of the St. Gotthard road tunnel
Parliament clearly rejects the parliamentary Borer initiative (second bore of the St. Gotthard road tunnel).
October 1995 - Parliament supports Alpine Initiative
The parliamentary Schmidhalter initiative (which aims to annul the Alpine Initiative) is rejected by a roll call of the National Council.
February 1995 - An Alpine Initiative for the whole of Europe
The participants of the second international transit conference in Lucerne demand an Alpine Initiative for the whole of Europe.
July 1994 - Call for a new vote
The general secretary of the Swiss ministry for transport, Fritz Mühlemann, wants to put the Alpine Initiative to the vote once again.
20. February 1994 - The Alpine Initiative is adopted
The Alpine Initiative is adopted by the Swiss people with a majority 954,433 votes (52%). 19 of the 26 cantons adopt the first popular initiative originating in the Alpine region.
September 1993 - First international transit conference
The Alpine Initiative organises the first international transit conference in Basel.
June 1993 - Cross-party support
The Council of States (small chamber of the Swiss Parliament) rejects the Alpine Initiative. As a reaction, 100 parliamentarians form a committee to support the Alpine Initiative.
December 1992 - Swiss Parliament says no as well
The National Council (big chamber of the Swiss Parliament) rejects the Alpine Initiative.
February 1992 - The Swiss government says no
The Federal Council (the Swiss cabinet) rejects the Alpine Initiative.
August 1991 - The first tranche of Alpine resistance fires
For the first time, alpine fires are lit all over the Alpine arc as a sign of resistance against the pollution of the Alps.
May 1990 - Submission of the initiative
The signatures of the Alpine Initiative are submitted to the Swiss authorities. The initiative has been signed by 107,570 people.
May 1989 - Launching of the Alpine Initiative
The historic Schöllenenschlucht gorge hosts the inaugural festival of the popular initiative “for the protection of the Alpine region from transit traffic” (the “Alpine Initiative” for short). It includes a press conference and the performance of a modern version of the famous myth of the devil’s bridge.
December 1987 - First meeting
Environmental supporters and left-wingers from the Swiss mountain cantons hold their first transport meeting in Andermatt.
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