Report proposes third-class rail tickets for budget travellers in Switzerland
Swiss railway companies should introduce a third-class category for passengers on a budget, a report commissioned by the Federal Office of Transport has recommended.
The NZZ am Sonntag newspaper said on Sunday that a recent federal government report, commissioned by an external expert group, had recommended introducing “third class aircraft-style seating for maximum capacity at favourable prices”. The proposed seating would be organised in rows of five passengers.
The study was commissioned to come up with future solutions for the railways to better compete with budget long-distance coach firms and electric vehicles.
The report’s authors argued that customers’ needs were very different and that rail companies should make appropriate offers to as many groups as possible.
However, the proposal got a mixed welcome. The director of the Public Transport Union, Ueli Stückelberger, said third-class travel would offer no additional savings and would complicate the work of public transport companies.
At present they are focusing on offering cheaper tickets outside rush hour periods and have a price cap on tickets until 2020.
Up until 1956, Swiss Railways (CFF), the biggest rail provider in Switzerland, offered three classes of tickets: so-called ‘wooden class’, mid-class and luxury class, where customers sat on chairs with velvet upholstery and at small tables made of mahogany.
CFF told NZZ am Sonntag in a written reply that third-class travel was “not an issue” right now.
It is unclear exactly what the next steps will be. The transport office said it had taken note of the report’s recommendations, which would be incorporated into projects and strategies “where necessary”.
Switzerland’s system of railways, long-distance buses and local transport is regarded as among the best in the world. The Swiss Federal Railways runs a large network of rail connections and helps coordinate a bus system that reaches into just about every corner of Switzerland. The average Swiss makes 72 train trips a year. In fact the Swiss use rail transport more often than any other nation in the world except the Japanese.
More
Public transport in Switzerland
Switzerland’s system of railways, long-distance buses and local transport is regarded as among the best in the world.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Train delay data queries image of Swiss railways
This content was published on
Trains operated by Switzerland's state-owned national railway operator are less punctual than company statistics make believe.
Swiss train passengers to surf internet for free from 2019
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Railways will begin introducing free internet surfing based on 3G/4G mobile coverage on trains by the end of next year.
This content was published on
Around 580 train stations across Switzerland will be modernised by the end of 2023 and made more accessible for people with disabilities.
Swiss take the train more often, and further, than European neighbours
This content was published on
The latest Europe-wide figures confirm Switzerland’s reputation as a country of trains, with average trips and kilometres covered far higher than elsewhere.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.