Switzerland's Federal Council has thrown out a parliamentary bid to curb English-language announcements on SBB trains and at railway stations
Vaud MP Daniel Ruch had argued the systematic use of English was pushing aside the country's official languages, particularly Italian.
But the government said the state-owned railway is best placed to decide, and defended English as a targeted choice at tourist-heavy stations and airport connections.
Industry standards, ministers noted, require customer information to be understandable and appropriate — with other languages allowed where tourism or international travel makes it necessary.
For English-speaking commuters and visitors, the ruling keeps a familiar voice on the loudspeaker.
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