The Local Switzerland

Switzerland's SBB under fire after late trains skip stations to make up time

Thu, 04 Jul 2019 23:06:31 +0200

It has been a tough summer for Swiss federal railways operator SBB. During the recent heatwave, bent railway tracks caused major delays while customers vented their frustration over defective or ineffective air conditioning on trains.

Swiss railway worker killed by moving train in Ticino

Wed, 06 Feb 2019 11:56:30 +0100

One Swiss railway worker was killed and another seriously injured after being hit by a train in the Italian-speaking Swiss canton of Ticino.

Switzerland has the best railways in Europe: survey

Fri, 25 May 2018 11:34:44 +0200

Swiss Federal Railways, SBB, has come out top in a survey of European rail operators, beating off strong competition from Germany’s Deutsche Bahn and Austria’s ÖBB.

Watch: Switzerland's piano playing policeman goes viral

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 12:06:56 +0200

A video of a Swiss policeman playing the piano at Geneva’s main railway station has gone viral.

SBB announces price cuts after increasing profit

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 13:15:44 +0100

The Swiss federal railway company, SBB, made a healthy profit last year and plans to reduce the price of individual tickets from May amid rising customer dissatisfaction.

Railways trial smoke-free zones in six stations

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 10:14:05 +0100

Lighting up on the platform will no longer be possible in six train stations across Switzerland from February.

IN PICS: World’s steepest classic funicular railway opens in Switzerland

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 13:50:42 +0100

Villagers in Stoos in the canton of Schwyz were among the first to travel on the world’s steepest funicular, the new Stoosbahn, which finally opened to the public on the weekend.

Redeveloped Oerlikon station opens to commuters – and shoppers

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 13:20:32 +0100

Switzerland’s sixth-biggest railway station has officially opened to the public after seven years of redevelopment work.

Cows lure bull away from railway line in Chur

Mon, 18 Apr 2016 11:22:19 +0200

A 600 kilo bull found loitering on railway tracks near Chur on Saturday afternoon had to be enticed away by a herd of heifers.

Switzerland to launch new 'smart' railcards

Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:49:40 +0200

The trusty blue Swiss railcards are about to become a thing of the past with a new high-tech version taking their place. Here's what you need to know.

Mountain train collides with van in Valais

Mon, 25 Nov 2013 15:00:00 +0100

A Matterhorn Gotthardbahn tourist train collided with a delivery van near the Mörel station in the canton of Valais on Monday, seriously injuring one person and lightly injuring 11 more, police said.

Swiss Railways offers bonus to fill staff void

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:23:00 +0200

Swiss Federal Railways has offered to pay 2,500 francs ($2,800) to staff members who recommend their friends and acquaintances for job interviews in a move aimed at tackling a shortage of qualified staff.

Swiss are world's train champions - it's official

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:47:10 +0200

Swiss residents are the world's most prolific railway riders, tracking an average of 2,258 kilometres (1403 miles) every year, the country's public transport association said Tuesday.