Rail Reform 1 comes into force on 1 January 1999. Its aim is the gradual liberalisation of rail transport as in the European Union. Measures include increased competition, the conversion of the SBB into a limited company, the separation of traffic and infrastructure, and free access to the rail network for goods traffic. The NRLA is realised against the backdrop of the reform. Trains operated by other companies are now permitted to run on the SBB network.
« Economic and ecological measures should be stepped up. »
Niklaus Lundsgaard-Hansen, Appendix to the decision-making basis for the Federal Office of Transport management, 24.02.1999
