Switzerland will not restore FM radio in tunnels

Switzerland will not restore FM radio equipment in its tunnels, despite the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation’s decision to resume FM broadcasts, SRF reported on Friday.

“As things stand, there are no plans to equip the tunnels with FM again,” said Jérôme Jacky, a spokesman for the Federal Roads Office, known as Astra.

Restoring the equipment would cost a high double-digit million sum, Jacky said. The old systems have been dismantled and would have to be installed again. There has also never been a legal requirement for tunnels to provide FM reception.

The situation is different for digital DAB reception. Tunnels longer than 600 metres must be equipped to provide DAB reception.

For drivers with FM-only radios, this means that reception will continue to be interrupted in longer tunnels. Estimates suggest that more than one-third of vehicles are still affected.

Philipp Kutter, a member of the Swiss National Council from the Centre party, criticised Astra’s decision. Kutter strongly supported the return of FM and now wants tunnel coverage to be placed on the political agenda.

“I think this is a reasonable expense,” Kutter said. “I will certainly campaign for these relatively modest costs to be covered in the interests of road safety.” He said radio could convey other, more extensive and more precise information than acoustic or visual signals.

Jacky rejected the argument that FM was relevant to tunnel safety. “Information for road users is provided primarily through visual systems,” he said.

In the event of a traffic jam or other incident, flashing signals can issue warnings. In a fire, illuminated signs indicate emergency exits, while red lights at the tunnel entrance can close the tunnel to traffic. Radio therefore plays, at most, a supplementary role in tunnel safety, Jacky said.

It remains unclear when SRG stations will again be available on FM. The broadcaster said it would provide information in due course.