Did you know that Switzerland has around 65'000 kilometres of hiking trails? That's about 1.5 times the circumference of the earth! A huge number of municipalities and volunteer organisations maintain the hiking trails and offer hikes in all the cantons.
TV Screens Coming to a Bus Near You!; SBB Trains Stop Running; Schutzey Gets New Playstructures; Local Business Owners Seek Franc Relief
News on 21 April 2015
In a pilot program being tested by the BVB 55 new articulated buses will come equipped with 2 internal video screens that will display not only the route information and time, but advertisements as well. According to BVB Director Erich Lagler the advertisements pose a lucrative business opportunity for the commuter transportation operator. The program will mark the first of its kind in a major city in Switzerland. The right side of the displays will be divided into two quadrants, the upper one displaying advertising and the lower one with news and cultural content. It is expected that organizations like Basel Tourismus would display its calendar of events on the lower screen, for example along with any service delays or modifications. BVB hopes, that based on the success of the program over 600 screens could be distributed throughout its fleet of people moving vehicles. Needless to say, some folks might express concern about whether the screens will spell the demise of the much-beloved poster adverts that fill trams and buses throughout the city. Not to worry, says Hans-Georg Bell - head of advertising at the BVB: The classic poster advertisements will remain. The investments BVB is making in the screens and infrastructure needed to operate the screens is expected to be recouped in five years, although the cost remains undisclosed. Mr. Bell was also quick to point out that the BVB is sensitive to the issue of noise on Swiss public transportation and hence- the advertising that is planned to be displayed at this point will be silent.
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In a freak set of circumstances the trains leaving Basel SBB were delayed by over an hour yesterday. In what amounts to blasphemy in the land of punctuality and even more punctual trains, a power blackout resulting from a defective switch just outside the station caused all trains scheduled to depart to be delayed by over an hour. SBB Spokesman Christian Ginsig played down the event which started at 09:40 am, just after the peak commuter rush, as a simple short-circuit resulting from unlikely events. Ironically, the French portion of the railway station, was NOT without power, leaving rail service towards Alsace and Paris, unaffected. Shops in the rail station also felt the consequences as their stores were without power during the disturbance. Mr. Ginsig elaborated that it was not possible to schedule replacement bus service to affected destinations as too many trains and passengers were affected. Full service has been restored since approximately 10:40 am yesteraday.
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On June 6th Canton Councillor Christoph Eymann will be on hand in Schutzenmatt Park to inaugurate a new set of play structures that, in a first of its kind for Switzerland, were specifically designed and built to encourage intergenerational play. Funded in part by the Canton and a private foundation named Hopp-La at a cost of 470,000 francs the upgrade of play systems was part of a planned overhaul for the well attended park in the center of the city. Deborah Wick, a sports scientist that was involved with the development of the project noted that the first 3 play structures are already installed an in use- proving quite popular amongst the young and old judging by their intensive use. She continued that part of the design consideration was to allow the play stations to function better when a grown-up was involved. Furthermore, the specific types of physical activity required are especially beneficial to the elderly who need to employ strength and coordination to assist children. In coordination with the Basel Organization Pro-Senectute, which provides services for the elderly, the play area will be the meeting point for a new motion course for seniors every Monday afternoon starting May 4th. In the autumn, the popular wading pool in the park will also be converted into a play area for cooperative intergenerational play featuring pedal powered fountains.
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Despite the gloom for Swiss Exporters and businesses due to the strength in the Franc after January 15th removal of the Euro Cap by the Swiss National Bank, a silver lining is on the horizon for Basel based enterprises. The trade association representing the commercial interests of Basel Business owners is seeking a reduction in the regulations and fees which they see as adding to their plight after the currency revaluation. Specifically, they'd like local ordinances lifted or eased that limit their hours of operation into the evening, and weekends, and allow more vehicular traffic into the city center. For starters, the association hopes for a moratorium on any new fees or taxes on existing commercial activity, in addition to the review of those already in effect for either reduction or elimination. The hope is, of course, that between longer business hours and reduced fees, employers would see an uptick in retail activity, and the reduction of labor and input costs to their businesses. The group has also suggested that additional parking spaces be provided in the most densely commercial areas of the city, along with reduced parking rates. No word yet from the city on any of the proposals.