Here I was, naively hoping the man would bring some insight into the costs of large infrastructure projects. As a former boss of the SBB you‘d think he‘d be uniquely qualified to do so.
But no, just platitudes. Nothing specific. Just a vague vibe that we shouldn‘t spend this much on trains. Other things are expensive as well.
Well you can criticise that he doesn’t say lot of things with substance, but I do wonder how future expansion projects have suddenly become 80% more expensive. That‘s not just a simple cost overrun but quite a substantial one and latest news point towards further overruns.
So I absolutely agree that certain projects should be questioned and as far as I know that is what currently is being done. I think there are a lot of fluffy regional projects, like the tunnel between Neuchatel-La Chaux de Fonds, which have high costs but a comparatively low usage vs. big projects.
I know some people here think that money somehow gets magically created, but if things continue like this the Bahnfonds will hardly have any reserves for future expansions (unless of course they find new financing, which will be coming from evil car drivers 😈).
No substance in the piece. Yes, the cost explosion needs more attention and shouldn’t just be accepted as god given.
But please do not sink billions into AI projects. We do not need to spend money on technology that is not proven. It’s totally fine for SBB to be a follower in this area.
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Here I was, naively hoping the man would bring some insight into the costs of large infrastructure projects. As a former boss of the SBB you‘d think he‘d be uniquely qualified to do so.
But no, just platitudes. Nothing specific. Just a vague vibe that we shouldn‘t spend this much on trains. Other things are expensive as well.
Well you can criticise that he doesn’t say lot of things with substance, but I do wonder how future expansion projects have suddenly become 80% more expensive. That‘s not just a simple cost overrun but quite a substantial one and latest news point towards further overruns.
So I absolutely agree that certain projects should be questioned and as far as I know that is what currently is being done. I think there are a lot of fluffy regional projects, like the tunnel between Neuchatel-La Chaux de Fonds, which have high costs but a comparatively low usage vs. big projects.
I know some people here think that money somehow gets magically created, but if things continue like this the Bahnfonds will hardly have any reserves for future expansions (unless of course they find new financing, which will be coming from evil car drivers 😈).
No substance in the piece. Yes, the cost explosion needs more attention and shouldn’t just be accepted as god given.
But please do not sink billions into AI projects. We do not need to spend money on technology that is not proven. It’s totally fine for SBB to be a follower in this area.
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