World's longest tunnel opens regular service

Regular rail service through the world's longest tunnel began on Sunday, carrying passengers deep under the Swiss Alps from Zurich to Lugano.

The famed Gotthard Base Tunnel had a ceremonial opening in June, attracting European leaders like German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande for its maiden ride.

The Swiss national rail service had announced that Sunday would mark the start of normal commercial traffic through the 57-kilometer GBT, which took 17 years to build, at a cost of more than $11.8 billion.