On 21 May 2000, 67 per cent of Swiss voters approve the bilateral agreements negotiated with the European Union. As a result, Switzerland is obliged to abandon the 28-tonne limit for trucks. The new maximum is 40 tonnes. In return, the EU accepts the heavy vehicle fee, which is designed to support the NRLA objective of shifting traffic from road to rail. The agreement also governs the opening up of the road and rail transport markets for passengers and goods.
« The voters were very well informed. »
Hans Hirter, Wolf Linder, Vox-pop analysis of the national referendums on 21 May 2000, June 2000
