OTB Delivery Boom Underway; RASA Rejected; Uber Smack Down; Fitness Expo Fun

News For 15 November 2016

Enterprises based just over Basel's borders in Germany providing EU based delivery addresses have been booming.  The largest of these, LAS Burg has seen its client roster grow from 30,000 to over 50,000 in the last three years, 90% of whom are Swiss residents.  The cause behind the growth are on-line shopping services such as Amazon which allow customers to shop customs, postage and shipping free when taking delivery of their EU based goods in another EU country, such as Germany.  The managers of the service expect business to continue to be robust, signing up approximately 200 new accounts per week during the holidays, and even extending their store hours to 8:00 in the evening. 

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RASA, a German acronym meaning "break the deadlock", was an initiative meant to force a revote of 2014's immigration limiting referendum.  The final tally of 2014's vote gave a tiny majority to those favoring immigration limits, despite the commitments Switzerland has to the EU with regard to the free movement of people.  RASA's proponents managed to gather the requisite signatures to force the Federal Government to consider a revote, however the motion was rejected.  The authorities, in writing their decision, agreed that maintaining bilateral trade with the EU was a priority, however, they also determined that a revote would undermine the proper functioning of Swiss democracy so close to the original referendum.  In a move meant as an olive-branch to RASAs supporters, the government has undertaken a "counter-project" which endeavors to clarify Swiss rules, and most likely buy time until the EU and Switzerland hash out a new agreement.

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Basel police have taken an aggressive stance against the ride sharing App Über.  According to Martin Schütz, spokesman for the Basel Cantonal Police Department, 25 pending cases are outstanding against drivers that were illegally transporting passengers using the service.  Uber Switzerland, the enterprise operating the service claims that its service is not meant to be a commercial transport mode for people, but police are not buying it.  In fact, policemen have been reported to show up at designated meeting points between drivers and passengers and disrupting the pick-up.  Taxi Unia, the union representing Basel taxi drivers has long complained of the service operating in their domain, saying Über does not operate by any of the regulations imposed on a standard Taxi driver.

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In another installment of the Fitness Expo last weekend, Switzerland's largest fitness fair broke the prior year's record for attendance at the St. Jakobshalle.  On hand were celebrity trainers and instructors in each of the latest fitness fads.  Spokesman for the event Raphael Bondt was pleased with the turnout.  Especially popular at this year's expo was the group fitness events allowing visitors to sample a sport they may have never tried, and the meet and greet with fitness coaches.  Amongst the coaches on hand was Detlef Soost, of the Swiss TV show "Popstars" who encouraged everyone to make the effort to find a fitness program that is right for them.