Swiss Federal Railways: Services resume gradually after lockdown
Starting on April 27th, Swiss trains will begin to partially resume their service, which has been significantly disrupted during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Although the full regular service will not be restored until May 11th, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB / CFF) have already re-established five connections:
IC1 Zurich HB–Geneva Airport: resumption of the connection between Fribourg and Geneva-Airport.
IR70 Luzern–Zurich HB: return to half-hourly service between Zurich HB and Luzern.
IR75 Zurich HB–Weinfelden–Konstanz: service will be increased between Zurich HB and Kreuzlingen.
IR17 Zurich HB–Olten–Bern: return to half-hourly service between Olten and Bern via the mainline through Burgdorf ZVV S19 Dietikon–Effretikon–Dietikon: increased service offer.
RE Annemasse–Geneva–Lausanne–Vevey/St-Maurice: half-hourly service between Geneva and Vevey/St-Maurice.
As border closings are still in effect, all international services have not yet been re-established.
However, some cross-border trains are still running, such as regional services from Switzerland to Konstanz (Germany) and between Brig and Domodossola (Italy).
While the SBB is still devising detailed protection plans for passengers and train staff, the Federal Council has recommended the use of face masks when trains are full. On the other hand, the masks will not be needed when trains are not crowded, authorities said.
READ MORE: What reopens in Switzerland on Monday and under what conditions?
In the meantime, the SBB is recommending that both customers and train personnel follow he recommendations of the Federal Office for Public Health (FOPH).
“All public transport operators in Switzerland are trying to maintain social distancing as far as possible. However, we can only achieve this if passengers continue to avoid making unnecessary journeys and use trains with low occupancy as far as possible”, the company said on its website.
“Leisure and tourist journeys must still be avoided; and you should continue to work from home, if possible”, it added.
The company also urges passengers to purchase tickets digitally via the SBB website or the SBB Mobile app,” protecting yourself and our staff in doing so”.
Reduced rail service and empty trains are unusual in Switzerland, as the Swiss are Europe's most frequent rail travelers per capita, taking a train an average of 71 times and riding nearly 2,400 kilometres.
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Although the full regular service will not be restored until May 11th, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB / CFF) have already re-established five connections:
IC1 Zurich HB–Geneva Airport: resumption of the connection between Fribourg and Geneva-Airport.
IR70 Luzern–Zurich HB: return to half-hourly service between Zurich HB and Luzern.
IR75 Zurich HB–Weinfelden–Konstanz: service will be increased between Zurich HB and Kreuzlingen.
IR17 Zurich HB–Olten–Bern: return to half-hourly service between Olten and Bern via the mainline through Burgdorf ZVV S19 Dietikon–Effretikon–Dietikon: increased service offer.
RE Annemasse–Geneva–Lausanne–Vevey/St-Maurice: half-hourly service between Geneva and Vevey/St-Maurice.
As border closings are still in effect, all international services have not yet been re-established.
However, some cross-border trains are still running, such as regional services from Switzerland to Konstanz (Germany) and between Brig and Domodossola (Italy).
While the SBB is still devising detailed protection plans for passengers and train staff, the Federal Council has recommended the use of face masks when trains are full. On the other hand, the masks will not be needed when trains are not crowded, authorities said.
READ MORE: What reopens in Switzerland on Monday and under what conditions?
In the meantime, the SBB is recommending that both customers and train personnel follow he recommendations of the Federal Office for Public Health (FOPH).
“All public transport operators in Switzerland are trying to maintain social distancing as far as possible. However, we can only achieve this if passengers continue to avoid making unnecessary journeys and use trains with low occupancy as far as possible”, the company said on its website.
“Leisure and tourist journeys must still be avoided; and you should continue to work from home, if possible”, it added.
The company also urges passengers to purchase tickets digitally via the SBB website or the SBB Mobile app,” protecting yourself and our staff in doing so”.
Reduced rail service and empty trains are unusual in Switzerland, as the Swiss are Europe's most frequent rail travelers per capita, taking a train an average of 71 times and riding nearly 2,400 kilometres.
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