Monkeypox Vaccine Doses Arrive; Bike Friendly Tram Tracks Undone; Swiss Rents Set To Rise

News For 29 November 2022

Just when you thought it was safe to relax and stop worrying about global pandemics, the canton of Basel has been doing the opposite.  In response to outbreaks of Monkeypox around the world, the health department has been stocking up on vaccines to ensure anyone interested can receive a dose.  New vaccination appointments can be made as of December 2.

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There will be no easy fix to the many accidents that occur when bicyclists unfortunately manage to get their wheel stuck in a tram track while riding.  The city had been hoping a pilot project at the Bruderholzstrasse tram stop proved promising enough to roll out across the tram network.  Alas, the system which uses rubber gaskets in the tracks to keep bicycle tires out, appears to also freeze up when enough water, and cold enough temperatures combine.  This combination has the potential to cause tram derailments which the BVB (Basel's tram operator) has determined to be too likely to continue with the program. Removal of the existing rubber gaskets will begin in a few weeks and continue through the spring.  The canton, however, will continue to look for winter-proof solutions that also enhance bicyclist safety.

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The Swiss reference mortgage rate which is used by landlords to adjust their rents, is set to rise by as much as 50% over the next five years, predicts the Zurich Kantonal Bank.  The net effect on tenants could see rents going up by 15%.  Worse still, many leases have terms that automatically adjust the rent based on the reference rate, allowing landlords to make the adjustment without having to renegotiate the lease.  This happens against a backdrop of record low vacancy rates, giving landlords tremendous leverage against tenants that hope to keep their rents from rising.