Advertisement

'Too dangerous': Basel cancels late-night trams to France

The Local
The Local - [email protected]
'Too dangerous': Basel cancels late-night trams to France
Basel Tram no longer headed into France after dark Photo: Depositphotos.com/AndreasZerndl

Swiss tram drivers have refused to cross the border from Basel into France following a series of attacks after dark.

Advertisement

Since 2017, the number three tram line of Basel City public transport system (BVB) has made life easier for commuters crossing the border from Basel, Switzerland to St-Louis, France. But unknown attackers in France have been intent on making life harder for tram drivers doing the night shift. 

The trams on the number three line have been struck with stones and targeted with laser pointers on many occasions, and as a result, authorities have decided the Basel tram will no longer travel to France after 8pm.

The final straw was a recent laser pointer attack on a female tram driver who is currently receiving medical treatment.

Read also: Zurich unveils new trams (using cool life-size model made entirely of wood)

Despite having security guards on call in France since last November, the problem has not been resolved. 

"Last Tuesday the laser attacks started. Friday, Saturday and Tuesday - there were more attacks. Now it is definitely life-threatening. We could not watch any longer," BVB spokesman Benjamin Schmid told the Basler Zeitung.

Swiss news site 20 Minuten reported that individual drivers now refuse to go to St-Louis because they are afraid of attacks.

At this stage, no substitute buses are available for commuters and the BVB has not been able to confirm if this will be a permanent decision. 

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also