Milan-Ticino Rail Link: A Step Towards an Inter-Regional Metro, But Will Switzerland Pay the Price?
The recent agreement between the Lombardy Region and Canton Ticino heralds a significant advancement in cross-border rail connections, aiming to transform the Milan-Locarno route into a true ‘inter-regional metro’ with trains every 30 minutes. This ambitious plan, however, faces a crucial hurdle: the need for substantial financial commitment from Switzerland to complete vital infrastructure projects.
A Historic Leap in Cross-Border Connectivity
The collaboration between Lombardy and Ticino seeks to strengthen the trans-border network through enhanced rail and bus services, greater tariff integration, and improved intermodality. The most impactful change is slated for the Regio Express RE80 Milan-Locarno line, which currently operates hourly. The goal is to double its frequency, achieving a service level akin to an inter-regional metro. This route serves a dynamic insubric area, catering to daily commuters, students, and tourists, whose growing demand has spurred both administrations to accelerate this initiative. Alongside increased frequency, the plan necessitates fleet renewal and infrastructural upgrades along the line.
Expanding the Trans-Border Network
Beyond the Milan-Locarno route, the agreement outlines several other key interventions. These include extending the S10 line from Bellinzona to Merone-Erba, transforming the S50 into the faster RE50 connecting Lugano, Varese, and Malpensa, and introducing the S90 towards Como and Molteno. Future direct connections to Malpensa and Novara are also under consideration, leveraging the new Gallarate-Terminal 2 line, which commenced service in 2026. Supporting these network enhancements are infrastructural projects such as the quadrupling of the Rho-Parabiago line, expected in 2028, and the electrification of the Como-Lecco line, scheduled from 2029. Concurrently, the cross-border bus network will be expanded to improve connections between Canton Ticino and the provinces of Como and Varese, alongside the development of integrated digital ticketing systems across both territories.
The Swiss Dilemma: The Missing Link for a True Metro
While the half-hourly service between Milan and Locarno represents a significant stride, the definitive transformation into a comprehensive inter-regional metro system requires more substantial investment from the Swiss side. Lombardy has recently called for the completion of the southern accesses of AlpTransit, the vast railway system traversing the Alps via the Gotthard and Ceneri base tunnels. Currently, a portion of the planned works between Biasca, Bellinzona, Lugano, and Chiasso are not among the Confederation’s infrastructural priorities. Completing the Bellinzona and Lugano bypasses would immediately boost the capacity, regularity, and speed of cross-border connections.
The Como-Lugano section remains one of the most critical points of the entire railway corridor to Milan. Given the strategic importance of access to Milan for Canton Ticino and the entire AlpTransit system, greater Swiss financial involvement in the necessary interventions along this route could be hypothesized. An even more ambitious vision involves the progressive undergrounding of the line between Como and Lugano, which would significantly increase connection capacity and separate regional from long-distance services. This would allow the Milan-Como-Lugano-Bellinzona-Locarno axis to evolve into a truly high-frequency trans-border railway network.
The critical question remains: will the Swiss open their wallets to realize this vital project? The full potential of this inter-regional metro concept hinges on their commitment, transforming a promising agreement into a fully integrated and efficient cross-border transport system.
