With the path to rendering operations economically viable still unclear, the company must again await approval from the voters.

This comes after an assembly in late November 2014, during which the proposed plan to secure a permanent solution for BDG was not approved and the voters officially sent the measure back to the City Council. Now, the Council has created another plan for restructuring and rehabilitation, which takes into consideration public feedback. Major changes implemented after a large outcry include keeping Wispile partially open rather than closing it completely. Rellerli, however, will close definitively by end 2018.

BDG has also confirmed renovating the Saanerslochbahn is indeed a must, and has maintained this proposal in their newest plan.

The three-year financial plan requires a total of CHF 56.3 million. Of this amount, BDG itself will provide CHF 5 million, the cities of Saanen and Zweisimmen CHF12.6 million in addition to their usual contributions of CHF 11.4 million, CHF 5 million from cantons Bern and Vaud, and the remaining CHF 10-15 million from private investors.

If all goes well and there are no further changes, formal application of the plan will go before voters at the company’s general meeting in June 2015.