The pilot programme uses biometric gates installed at Geneva and Basel stations. Passengers who register via the new EU-Swiss app receive a QR code valid for 90 days.
Trains on the two routes will stop only for a 90-second automated scan instead of the previous 12-minute manual check. Swiss Federal Railways and SNCF have added four extra daily departures each way to meet expected demand.
Freight operators also benefit from dedicated lanes, reducing average border dwell time from 45 minutes to under 10 minutes. The change supports just-in-time supply chains between northern Italy and northern Europe.
Privacy groups raised concerns about data retention, but authorities insist biometric data is deleted after each crossing unless a traveller is flagged.
Initial capacity is limited to 2,000 registered users per day, with expansion planned for September if the pilot meets performance targets.
Switzerlandโs tourism board predicts a 9 percent increase in rail arrivals from France and Germany during the July-August holiday peak.