Winter Finally Arrives; Antique Tram Retired; #3 Tram Line Extension Begins; Basel Fashion House Goes to Euro Payroll

News For 24 November 2015

  Winter finally arrived in Switzerland and Basel in particular over the last weekend.  Tuesday morning even saw temperatures plunge to a record setting -23 degrees in the canton of Neuchatel.  Closer to home today, temperatures of -4 degrees celsius were measured early this morning with a high of 4 degrees above zero expected.  Needless to say, ski resort operators have become quite anxious with the late season warm weather that prevailed so far into the autumn.  So far in Switzerland, only seven ski runs are operating, and those of course only at the highest elevations and with year round glaciers, like Zermatt and Les Diablerets in Vaud.  Fortunately, further snowfall is expected later this week on Wednesday and Thursday in regions above 500 meters of altitude, which would help a further 15 ski areas open for the season.  According to meteorologists MeteoSwiss, an anticyclone weather pattern is responsible for the arrival of the cold, clear weather in the Central European region. ********************** One of Basel's more nostalgic sights is the fleet of antique trams the city operates for sightseeing and party tours.  It seems one of the single car trams, dubbed "Dante Schuggi" has had to be removed from service by the Tram's operator the BVB.  Apparently the tram was inspected and criticized by the Federal Office of Transport as it was deemed to have a braking system that no longer meets the latest safety standards.  For now the BVB has no plans to rehabilitate the 100 year old Tram which it estimates to cost 600,000 francs.  Instead, the tram system operator hopes to refurbish its entire vintage fleet in time for their 125th anniversary in 2020 at a cost of 1.8 million francs.   *******************************

A groundbreaking took place yesterday to celebrate the start of construction to extend the #3 Tram line into St. Louis, France.  Expected to cost 91.3 million francs and be completed in 2017, the 3.1 KM extension will cross from Basel into France at Bergfelderstrasse where a new customs office will be built.  Approximately 30,000 people from the Alsace region commute for work across the border daily using personal automobiles.  It is expected that as the #3 enters service, a significant percentage of those commuters will opt for public transport, reducing traffic, and enhancing the environment and quality of life.  

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The Basel-based clothing retailer Tally Weijl announced that it will pay new employees working at its Swiss headquarters in Euros instead of Swiss francs.  The company hopes to better manage the risks associated with exchange rate movements. With 85% of its revenues denominated in Euros, and most of its staff in Switzerland the costs of managing the firm can be difficult according to its Chief Beat Gruring.  Only new employees will receive their salaries in Euros, while those already on the payroll will be able to choose between Euros and Swiss francs.  Those who work in the company's retail stores in Switzerland will continue to be paid in Swiss francs.  With around 200 people working at the Swiss headquarters, the initial plan was to move the entire HQ to Lorrach, Germany.  The company hopes the plan will mean sufficient savings that offset the costs of continuing to operate out of Basel.