BLS says it expects to finalise the timetable within the next few weeks for the services, which will start in Brig and operate through the Simplon Tunnel, offering frequent cross-border trains and good connections with other services.

The services will be operated using RABe 535 EMUs supplied to BLS by Bombardier between 2008 and 2012.

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) currently operates eight services a day between Brig, Iselle and Domodossola. BLS operated an hourly Bern - Domodossola regional express service over the weekend of July 23/24, and says that this demonstrated a high level of customer demand for more frequent services.