National infrastructure manager of Switzerland

 SBBI - Schweizerisches Bundesbahnen, Infrastruktur

Network length, gauge and electrification (2020):

SBB Infrastruktur is the national infrastructure manager of Switzerland. It maintains and operates the core network. Many private railways maintain and operate their own infrastructure, both standard and narrow gauge. SBB Infrastruktur owns and operates many locomotives, shunters and work trains.

Website: https://www.sbb.ch/

Stock Tables:

Railway Operators in Switzerland



SBB - Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (German)
CFF - Chemins de Fer Fédéraux Suisses (French)
FFS - Ferrovie Federali Svizzere (Italian)

Network length, gauge and electrification (2021):

In January 2005 the narrow gauge SBB Brünigbahn merged with private operator LSE to become the Zentralbahn, a new private railway. In September 2011 SBB Cargo International was created, with head quarters in Olten. This subsidiary hires locomotives from SBB Cargo, for international freight trains.

In 2019 SBB produced 19.7 billion passenger-km with 1.3 million passengers a day, 5.8% more than in 2018. SBB Cargo produced 16.4 billion tonne-km, 3.5% less than in 2018. In 2020 35% of SBB Cargo was sold to Swiss Combi AG (Planzer, Camion Transport, Galliker and Bertschi).
In Covin-19 year 2020 passenger numbers dropped from 1.3 million to 843,000 per day, SBB producing 11.7 billion passenger-km (down 40% from 19.7 billion). SBB Cargo produced 16.0 billion tonne-km, down from 16.4 billion.

Website: http://www.sbb.ch/

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 AB - Appenzeller Bahnen

Network length, gauge and electrification (2007):

After years of common management, the Appenzellbahn(AB) and St.Gallen-Gais-Appenzell(SGA) merged in 1988 to form the Appenzellerbahnen. The former SGA is partly rack, and some of the latest EMUs are intended for operation throughout the system. Since the bankrupcy of MThB, AB also manages the FW railway. In 2019 AB transported 5.21 million passengers, 5.6% more than in 2018 (when St. Gallen-Teufen was temporarily closed).

In 2006 four regional railways - including the old Appenzeller Bahnen - merged into the "new" Appenzeller Bahnen.
The Rorschach-Heiden-Bergbahn operates a short rack-and-adhesion line running into the hills above Rorschach, with through running over the SBB line to Rorschach Hafen.
The Bergbahn Rheineck-Walzenhausen was rebuilt from a tramway and a connecting funicular to a rack-and-adhesion railway in 1958. They just have 1 item of motive power.
The Trogenerbahn (10km, 1000V=) is a light railway/interurban tram line that provides a link between St. Gallen(SBB and AB station) to Trogen.
Since 2006 Appenzellerbahnen is a member of RAILplus AG, a company set up by a number of private railways to coordinate marketing, maintenance, etc. In 2008 passenger traffic amounted 6.3 million passengers (6.1 million in 2007) and 55 million passenger-km.

In 2018 AB saw major changes. A new tunnel allows the rack section near St. Gallen to be abandoned. The Trogenerbahn is now connected to the SGA line, allowing through adhesion-only tram-trains Trogen-St. Gallen-Gais-Appenzell. The overhead voltage on TB was increased from 1000V= to 1500V= apart from the city section in St. Gallen (600V=).
Also for the Gossau-Appenzell-Wasserauen line new trainsets were delivered by Stadler. Two older rack-fitted trainsets are still used on Gais-Altstätten Stadt. This line is intended to close in 2035 and to be replaced by busses.

In January 2021 AB merged with the Frauenfeld-Wil bahn. This line is not connected to the other AB lines. The FW brand will still be used in the future.
FW operates trains between Frauenfeld (SBB/CFF/FFS station) and Wil (SBB/CFF/FFS and Thurbo station). The FW ends on the station square in Frauenfeld. It transports around 1.32 million passengers per year.

In 2022 passenger numbers grew by 17% to 6.15 million passengers. This is still 5% less than in 2019, pre-Covid.

Website: http://www.appenzellerbahnen.ch/

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 ASm - Aare-Seeland Mobil

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

ASm is the new name for the former cooperation of 3 railways, called OSST (Oberaargau-Solothurn-Seeland Transport). The company consists of the former Biel-Täuffelen-Ins-Bahn(BTI), Solothurn-Niederbipp-Bahn(SNB) and Regionalverkehr Oberaargau(RVO), completed by bus operator OAK. The company operates two separate railways: Biel-Ins and Solothurn-Niederbipp-Langenthal-St. Urban - Melchnau (in 2015 St. Urban Ziegelei-Melchnau was broken up). One standard gauge shunter was aquired for service in Niederbipp.
Work to extend the Solothurn-Niederbipp line from Niederbipp to Oensingen was completed in 2012 and opened on 9 december that year.
In 2004 ASm transported 4.4 million passengers, 1% more than in 2003. Since 2006 this company is a member of RAILplus AG, a company set up by a number of private railways to coordinate marketing, maintenance, etc.

Website: http://www.aare-seeland-mobil.ch/

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 AVA - Aargau Verkehr AG

Network length, gauge and electrification (2018):

In 2018 the former Wynental- und Suhrentalbahn (operated under the AAR bus + bahn brand) and the BDWM merged into Aargau Verkehr.

WSB operates trains on two connected lines starting from the AVA station in Aarau, alongside the SBB/CFF/FFS station: from Aarau to Schöftland and from Aarau to Menziken-Burg. A few years ago the WSB line was relaid on the former SBB grade from Reinach Unterdorf to Menziken-Burg, replacing street running on this section. In November 2010 the section Suhr-Aarau was moved to the former SBB standard gauge line connecting these cities, replacing much more street running.

The standard gauge network of BDWM is a short branch line of WM, from Wohlen to Meisterschwanden. Passenger service from Wohlen to Meisterschwanden has been cancelled since May 1997. Passengers are moved by bus. In 1999 Villmergen-Meisterschwanden was lifted, such that of the WM only the (unelectrified) part Wohlen-Villmergen is left for freight. The remaining freight trains are operated by SBB Cargo.
The narrow gauge part of this company consist of a light railway with mostly roadside running between Dietikon and Wohlen. The part Bremgarten-Wohlen used to be mixed gauge until 2015, to allow standard gauge freight trains to reach Bremgarten. BDWM leases this railway from SBB since 1912.
Currently BDWM runs two passenger trains per hour on Wohlen-Bremgarten-Dietikon, with two additional trains Bremgarten West-Bremgarten-Dietikon during the day on weekdays.

Since 2022 AVA also operates the new Limmattalbahn in Zùrich with 8 new Tramlink trams from Stadler, the same as the new trains for the Waldenburgbahn (BLT).

Website: http://www.aargauverkehr.ch/

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 BLS - BLS AG (former BLS Lötschbergbahn and Regionalverkehr Mittelland)

Network length, gauge and electrification (2008):

In 1997 the "old" BLS, the Bern-Neuenburg-Bahn(BN), the Gürbetal-Bern-Schwarzenburg-Bahn (GBS) and the Simmentalbahn (SEZ) merged to form the "new" BLS Lötschbergbahn. The BLS has the largest standard gauge network of the Swiss Private Railways. The Lötschberg Pass forms part of the Berne to Milan main line, which has extensive joint operation with the SBB/CFF/FFS. The company also operates frequent commuter trains from and to Berne.
In June 2001 BLS Cargo AG was founded, a daughter company of BLS especially focused on freight traffic. In 2017 45% of BLS Cargo was sold to SNCF Logistics (France).

Since 2004 SBB operates all long-distance services over the BLS main line, while BLS has taken over all Bern S-Bahn services and local/RegionalExpress trains on Bern-Neuchatel, Bern-Langnau-Luzern, Spiez-Zwiesimmen and Spiez-Kandersteg-Brig.

Regionalverkehr Mittelland was formed in 1997 out of the EBT(Emmenthal-Burgdorf-Thun-Bahn), SMB(Solothurn-Münster-Bahn) and VHB(Vereinigte Huttwil-Bahnen). The new company operated an extensive standard gauge network east of Bern. Although one branch has closed, much of the fleet was modernised during recent years.

In 2006 the "old" BLS merged with Regionalverkehr Mittelland (RM) to form BLS AG. This new BLS (note: this is not an abbreviation anymore) operates trains from the railway centers Bern, Thun and Burgdorf to the stations Luzern, Huttwil, Langenthal, Solothurn, Moutier, Biel/Bienne, Neuchâtel, Payerne, Fribourg, Zweisimmen, Brig and Interlaken. Also BLS AG operates the entire S-Bahn network of Bern. From December 2025 BLS will operate the new hourly IR56 service Basel-Delémont-Biel, with 7 extra "MIKA" trainsets class RABe 528.1.

In 2019 passenger traffic grew by 2.5% to 67.7 million passengers (including busses and ships). The number of freight trains operated was much more than in 2018, as Crossrail Benelux is now included: 22,265 in 2019 versus 17,051 in 2018.

Crossrail - a Belgian private freight railway operating in Belgium and Germany - was bought by BLS Cargo in 2019.

Websites: http://www.bls.ch/ and http://www.blscargo.ch/

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 BLT - Baselland Transport

Network length, gauge and electrification (2021):

BLT company operates light trains on Rodersdorf-Basel-Aesch/Dornach (lines 10, 11 and 17), partly running over city tram tracks. It also owns the line to Pratteln (line 14, operated by BVB). The company was founded in 1974 by a merger of BTB(Birsigtalbahn), BEB(Birseckbahn), BÜB(Basler Uberland Bahn) and TBA(Trambahn Basel-Aesch).
In 2019 55.1 million passengers travelled with BLT. Traffic by tram grew by 0.6%.

Since 2015 BLT runs the management of the Waldenburgerbahn, operating as BLT line 19. Between April 2021 and December 2022 the Waldenburgerbahn has been completely modernised and regauged from 750mm to 1000mm gauge, the same as the other BLT tracks. New trams/trains were ordered and the 750mm gauge motor cars and trailers were withdrawn.

Website: http://www.blt.ch/

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 BRB - Brienz-Rothorn-Bahn

Network length, gauge and electrification (2006):

This company operates on one of the few non-electrified lines in Switzerland. The line is pure rack, and most of the trains are operated with steam. In 1992 two brand new locomotives were delivered from SLM!
In 2022 passenger numbers grew by 40% to 204,729 passengers. This is even more than pre-Covid in 2019.

Website: http://www.brienz-rothorn-bahn.ch/

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 CJ - Chemins de fer du Jura

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

The standard gauge part of the railway network of this company is a short branch line linking Porrentruy and Bonfol.
The narrow gauge lines of this company run from La Chaux de Fonts to Glovelier and from Tavannes to Le Noirmont, over there connecting to the first line. Plans exist to extend the network from Govelier to Delémont, which is now standard gauge only and operated by SBB/CFF/FFS.
In 2008 1.6 million passengers travelled with CJ, producing 25 million passenger-km. Also almost 55,000 tonnes of freight were transported (2 million tonne-km).

Website: http://www.les-cj.ch/

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 Db - Dolderbahn

Network length, gauge and electrification (2007):

This pure rack railway was converted from a funicular in 1973. It connects with the Zürich trams at the lower terminus called Römerhof.

Website: http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/vbz/

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 EDG - Eisenbahndienstleister GmbH

Network length, gauge and electrification (2018):

Eisenbahndienstleister started in 2007. In 2013 a rolling stock department was created and in 2017 the company was allowed to operate its own trains on the Swiss railway network. In the beginning hired locomotives and shunters were used, mainly for hire and for work trains. In 2017 two second-hand mainline locomotives were bought that went into service in 2018.

In 2023 Eisenbahndienstleister was taken over by LTE Group from Austria and will be renamend into LTE Suisse.

Website: https://eisenbahndienstleister.ch/

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 FART - Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

This company operates trains on Locarno-Domodossola(Italy) in cooperation with the SSIF from Italy. Their trains have a common numbering system and through services are operated by rolling stock of both companies. The line is better known under its German name Centovalli-Bahn.
Since 2006 this company is a member of RAILplus AG, a company set up by a number of private railways to coordinate marketing, maintenance, etc.

Website: http://www.centovalli.ch/

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 FB - Forchbahn

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

This line is connected to the Zürich tram system, but is operated separately. Trains run from Esslingen to Rehalp, and continue over the tram tracks to Stadelhofen (close to the SBB/CFF/FFS station).
In 2008 4.8 million passengers travelled with FB over 31.3 million passenger-km

Website: http://www.forchbahn.ch/

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 FLP - Ferrovie Luganesi SA

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

This line, running from Lugano to Ponte Tresa, is the only survivor of several light railways around Lugano in southeast Switzerland. The abbreviation FLP stands for the old name of the company, Ferrovie Lugano-Ponte Tresa. In 2008 1.7 million passengers travelled with FLP.

Website: http://www.flpsa.ch/

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 GGB - Gornergratbahn

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

The Gornergratbahn is a pure rack railway electrified with a 3-phase system (2 overhead wires). It runs from Zermatt up into the mountains, and has a common management with the MGB (former BVZ). In 2005 BVZ Holding AG took over control of this company.

In 2023 passenger numbers grew by 26.6% to 841,400 passengers.

Website: http://www.gornergrat.ch/

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 JB - Jungfraubahn Holding

The JB holding consists of the following railways:

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994): The most famous line operated by de Jungfraubahn Holding is the JB going to the station Jungfraujoch, the highest railway station in Europe. The group has both 800mm and 1000mm gauge railways. BLM is adhesion-only, BOB has both adhesion and rack sections, WAB, JB and SPB are rack only railways. The BLM line is connected to Lauterbrunnen (WAB and BOB) by a cable car that replaced a funicular at the same site a few years ago.

In 2016 916 500 passengers travelled up to Jungfraujoch with JB.

In 2024 the BLM line was upgraded and adapted to 750V= catenary voltage. All old motor cars were withdrawn and replaced with new trainsets from Stadler.

Website: https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/corporate/jungfrau-railways/jungfraubahn-holding-ag/

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 LEB - Chemin de fer Lausanne-Echallens-Bercher

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

This light railway runs from Bercher to Lausanne Flon, where it connects to the metro where the former LG/LO rack lines used to be, as well as the TL (to Renens). 445m of railway between Chauderon (the former terminal) and Flon were opened in May 2000.
In 2002 LEB transported 2.13 million passengers (1.7 million in 1995).

LEB is to merge with TL. As a first step the management of LEB was taken over by TL in December 2013.

Website: http://www.leb.ch/

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 MBC - Transports de la région Morges Bière Cossonay SA (former BAM)

Network length, gauge and electrification (1997):

This company is one of the few narrow gauge railways electrified at high voltage AC. They operate trains on Morges-Apples-Bière/l'Isle-Mont-la-Ville. In 1997 a new 2km branch line to an army base was opened. Tanks on standard gauge cars are the most important freight traffic on the line.
In 2003 the name of the company was officially changed into MBC (Transports de la région Morges-Bière-Cossonay), the railway operations used to be known as BAM until then. In 2008 some 620,000 passengers travelled with BAM, and 42,000 tonnes of freight were transported.

Website: http://www.mbc.ch/

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 MG - Ferrovia Monte Generoso SA

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

This is the only rack mountain line south of the Gotthard pass. It was electrified as late as 1982, DMUs were scrapped or sold but the diesel locomotives were kept. The trains run from Capolago Lago to Capolago SBB station (only once a day in the summer months), and then continue to the end station Generoso Vetta.

Website: https://www.montegeneroso.ch/

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 MGB - Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn

Network length, gauge and electrification (2003):

The MGB is the result of a merger of the BVZ (Zermatt Bahn Brig-Visp-Zermatt) and FO (Furka-Oberalb-Bahn) on 1 January 2003.
The FO line forms the only east-west link in southern Switzerland. Until 1982 through trains over the Furka Pass could only run during the summer. Now there is a long tunnel, and the old tracks are operated by the 'Dampfbahn Furka Bergstrecke (DFB)' with amongst others steam locomotives once sold to Vietnam.
The line runs from Disentis/Mustèr to Brig, with a branch line from Andermatt to the SBB/CFF/FFS station in Göschenen. Several stretches of rack remain on this very scenic line. In 1999 a 2.2km branch line (with rack) was opened from Sedrun to Las Rueras, to remove spoil from the new Gotthard base tunnel. In the mean time this has been removed again after opening of the tunnel.
The BVZ line provides the transport link to Zermatt to which public road traffic is not permitted. Hence, in addition to the main service from Brig, there is a frequent shuttle service Täsch(car parking)-Zermatt.
The MGB has a common management with GGB that runs rack trains from Zermatt up into the mountains. BVZ Holding AG owns 75% of the company.
Since 2006 this company is a member of RAILplus AG, a company set up by a number of private railways to coordinate marketing, maintenance, etc.

In 2023 8.68 million passengers travelled with MGB, 2.4% more than in 2022. Passenger numbers of the Glacier Express grew by 31.6% to 281,340.

Website: http://www.mgbahn.ch/

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 MOB - Chemins de fer Montreux-Oberland Bernois

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

The MOB runs from Montreux to Zweisimmen(BLS) and on a branch line from Zweisimmen to Lenk. New stock is being designed and tested with wheelsets for both meter and standard gauge, allowing through narrow gauge trains from Montreux to Luzern. The MOB has a common management with MVR.

In 2008 the amount of freight transported was 26,463 tonnes.

Website: https://mob.ch/

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 MVR - Transport Montreux-Vevey-Riviera

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

MVR is a product of the merger in 2001 of the private railways MGN and CEV and funiculars LAS and VCP. Also the funicular TG (that already merged with with MGN to MTGN in 1992) is part of the group.
The group of railway companies operates trains on the narrow gauge lines around Montreux. The CEV runs from Vevey(SBB) to Blonay (adhesion only) and from Blonay to Les Pléiades (rack railway). The MGN was previously split in MGl(Montreux-Glion) and GN(Glion-Naye). They now have through operation from Montreux(SBB/CFF/FFS station) to Rochers-de-Naye.

Website: https://mob.ch/

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 NStCM - Chemin de fer Nyon-St.-Cergue-Morez

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

Until 1958 this line continued to France, now the trains run up to the French border. The present line runs from Nyon(SBB station) to La Cure. In 2004 the old terminus in Nyon was replaced by an underground station.

Website: https://www.nstcm.ch/

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 OeBB - Oensingen-Balsthal-Bahn

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

This company operates a short branch line conneting Balsthal with the SBB station at Oensingen. Most of their rolling stock is second-hand.
In 2022 about 600,000 passengers travelled with OeBB, 12.3% more than in 2021, and has reached pre-Covid levels again. Freight traffic grew by 10.7% in 2022.

Website: http://www.oebb.ch/

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 PB - Pilatusbahn

Network length, gauge and electrification (2007):

This line is the world's steepest rack railway. It uses the 'Locher' rack system. The trains run from Alpnachstadt(SBB Brünig line) to Pilatus Kulm. In 2009 299,570 passengers (+2.7%) travelled with the Pilatusbahn.

Website: http://www.pilatus.ch/

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 RB - Rigi-Bahnen AG

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

This company, formed in 1992 out of the ARB and VRB, operates two rack lines, one connecting Arth Goldau SBB station and one connecting Vitznau on Lake Lucerne to the Rigi mountain. In 2022 808 000 passengers travelled on RB, some 30% more than in 2021.

Website: http://www.rigi.ch/

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 RBS - Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

This company operates on suburban lines around Bern: Bern SBB station-Solothurn, Bern SBB station-Worblaufen-Worb (both 1250V=) and Worb-Bern Zytglogge. The extension over the city tram tracks from Helvetiaplatz to Zytglogge caused a 12% increase in passenger numbers.

In 2022 15.4 million passengers travelled by rail on RBS (22 million in total), 19% more than in 2021 but slill 17% less than in 2019 pre-Covid.

Website: http://www.rbs.ch/

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 RhB - Rhätische Bahn/Ferrovia Retica/Viafier Retica

Network length, gauge and electrification (2000):

This company has the largest network of all Swiss Private Railways. They operate all trains in South-Eastern Switzerland, also serving e.g. the major tourist centre of St. Moritz. One of the lines crosses the Italian border, providing a link to Tirano. The Berninabahn is operated under DC, the line Chur-Arosa has been converted to 11kV 16 2/3Hz (energized December 1997). The DC line Castione-Cama (part of Bellinzona-Mesocco) was handed over to museum railway SEFT in 2003.
Since 2006 this company is a member of RAILplus AG, a company set up by a number of private railways to coordinate marketing, maintenance, etc.

In 2019 passenger traffic grew by 4.8% (without Glacier Express).

Website: http://www.rhb.ch/

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 RLC - railCare AG

Network length, gauge and electrification (2010):

This new company (2010) has taken over many of the operations from RTS that quit operating freight trains in 2009. The company is based in Härkingen. In early September 2010 Coop announced that it had taken over railCare. Coop was one of the major users of railCare services.

Website: http://www.railcare.ch/

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 SOB - Schweizerische Südostbahn AG

Network length, gauge and electrification (2008):

The original SOB line from Arth Goldau on the Gotthard line to Rapperswil forms the middle section of the Luzern to Romanshorn route, over which a through service was operated jointly with the SBB and BT. There are also branch lines to Einsiedeln and Wädenswil.
The BT (Bodensee-Toggenburg-Bahn) formed the eastern section of the Luzern to Romanshorn route. They also operated between Wil and Nesslau.
At the end of 2001 the BT and SOB merged, to form the "new" SOB. In its first year (2002) the new SOB transported 10.127 million passengers, up by 2.8% on the combined BT and "old" SOB numbers. Freight traffic fell by 8%.
In 2022 27.2 million passengers travelled with SOB, two-third of this on long-distance services (2019: 13.7 million without the services over SBB lines).

The "Voralpen-Express" Luzern-Romanshorn used to be operated by SOB and SBB together, since December 2013 SOB operates it on its own. Stock consisted of 7 coaches - some second-hand from SBB - and SOB locomotives or "NPZ" motor cars RBDe 561 on both ends of the train. In 2018/2019 new trainsets entered service.

Website: http://www.suedostbahn.ch/

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 SRTAG - Swiss Rail Traffic AG

Network length, gauge and electrification (2014):

SRT provides services to other operators and forwarders. They own a number of electric locomotives used for open-access trains.

Website: http://www.swissrailtraffic.ch/

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 SZU - Sihltal-Zürich-Uetliberg-Bahn

Network length, gauge and electrification (2022):

This company operates two lines, the suburban Sihltalbahn to Langnau and Sihlbrugg, and a mountain line to Uetliberg. The combined section to Zürich Central Station used to have two overhead wire systems, the DC one was located on one side. So the DC-only EMUs had off-centre pantographs!

From April 2022 the Uetliberg line was converted from 1200V DC to 15kV AC. New (dual voltage) trainsets were ordered to be used during and after the conversion. The older DC motor cars were withdrawn.

In 2023 25.14 million passengers travelled with SZU, of which 9.2 million on the Sihltalbahn (S4, +17.5%) and 4.8 million on the Uetlibergbahn (S10, +22%). Passenger levels are still below the pre-covid levels of 2019.

Website: http://www.szu.ch/

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 ThB - THURBO AG

Network length, gauge and electrification (2019):

After Mittelthurgaubahn was liquidated, THURBO - als was already intended but now earlier - took over services in Eastern Switzerland and in Southwestern Germany. THURBO owned the former MThB main line Wil-Weinfelden-Kreuzlingen, the rest of the network was owned by SBB. In 2019 also the former MThB line (21km) was transferred to SBB.
THURBO operates passenger trains south of Lake Konstanz, on all lines between Waldshut, Konstanz, Uznach and Altstätten. The operations of THURBO in Germany (Radolfzell-Stockach and Konstanz-Singen-Engen) are now a subsidiary of SBB.
In 2007 28.1 million passengers travelled with THURBO, producing 399 million passenger-km.

Website: http://www.thurbo.ch/

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 TL - Transport de la région Lausannoise

Network length, gauge and electrification (2007):

This company operates the city tram of Lausanne, including some interurban light railway lines (Métro Ouest). It used to be called TSOL - Tramway Sud-Ouest Lausannois.

Website: http://www.t-l.ch/

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 TMR - Transports de Martigny et Régions SA

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

At the beginning of 2001, the MC (Martigny-Châtelard) and MO (Martigny-Orsières) merged to become the TMR. The former MO operates a standard gauge light railway serving an area to the south of the Rhône Valley, between Martigny and Orsières/Le Châble. Trains run as "Saint-Bernard Express". TMR and SBB cooperate as Regionalps, that operates all regional standard gauge passenger services in Valais/Wallis province. In 2021 new trainsets were ordered from Stadler to replace both the SBB Domino trainsets and MVR Nina trainsets.

The former MC operates a partly rack line that has stretches of overhead wire and stretches of 3rd rail. The connecting SNCF line in France also has 3rd rail. Through operation from Martigny to St. Gervais(F) is now possible with the new EMUs class BDeh4/8 (MC, 2x) and Z 800 (SNCF, 3x). In the future all 3rd rail will be replaced by catenary, for now only 3rd rail is left in a few tunnels. Trains run as "Mont-Blanc Express".

Website: http://www.tmrsa.ch/

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 TPC - Transports Publics du Chablais

Network length, gauge and electrification (2009):

Already for a long time 4 narrow railways operated together under general management. Since January 2000 they have merged into the TPC. These companies operate trains in the region around Aigle, south of Lake Geneva and close to the French Border. The AL runs from Aigle to Leysin-Grand-Hôtel and is mainly rack operated. The AOMC operates trains on two sections: Monthey-Aigle and Monthey-Champéry. Only the latter has three rack sections. The ASD operates trains between Aigle and Les Diablerets, with changing direction in Le Sépey. This line has no rack sections. The BVB operates trains on Villars-Bex and Villars-Col de Brétaye, with rack between Bévieux and Gryon, and between Villars and Col-de-Bretaye.
The AL and ASD connect to the SBB/CFF/FFS in Aigle, the AOMC in Aigle and in St. Triphon and Monthey (stations within walking distance). The BVB connects to the SBB/CFF/FFS in Bex. In 2007 TPC carried 2.1 million passengers, producing 14.5 million passeger-km.
In 2008, after opening of the new narrow-gauge platforms in Aigle and the new depot, it was decided to change the voltage on the AOMC line from 900 to 1500V DC and change the rack type from Strub to Abt. This has finally taken place during the summer of 2016. Some newer AOMC trainsets have been adapted while older ones were withdrawn. 

Website: http://www.tpc.ch/

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 TPF - Transports Publics Fribourgeois

Network length, gauge and electrification (1994):

The standard gauge part of this company consists of two separate branch lines, Fribourg(=Freiburg)-Ins and Bulle-Romont. The narrow gauge part of this company consists of the main line Palèzieux(SBB)-Bulle-Montbovon(MOB) and the branch line from Bulle to Broc-Fabrique. The branch to Broc Fabrique is being regauged to standard gauge, last day of narrow gauge operation 5 April 2021.

In 2016 4.39 million passenger travelled in TPF trains (2% less than in 2015). Passenger-km grew by 1%.

Website: http://www.tpf.ch/

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 TR - TR Trans Rail AG

Network length, gauge and electrification (2020):

TR Trans Rail operates open-access (historic) passenger trains and freight trains. They also provide drivers and logistics services for other operators. IRSI actually owns the locomotives that are operated by TR. The company is based in Frauenfeld.

Website: https://www.tr-transrail.ch/

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 TRN - Transports Publics Neuchâtelois S.A. (transN)

Network length, gauge and electrification (2013):

In 2012 TNR and TN merged into a new public transport company for the Neuchâtel region, using brand name transN.

TN operated light trains on Neuchâtel Place Pury-Boudry. TNR comprised the former narrow gauge private railway CMN (Chemins de fer de Montagnes Neuchâteloises), the standard gauge private railway RVT and bus operator VR. The standard gauge part of this company consists of the secondary line Travers-Fleurier-Buttes. Through services run over the SBB line to Neuchâtel. In December 2015 transN took over part of the services on Neuchâtel-La Chaux de Fonds, together with SBB and BLS.
The narrow gauge part of this company consists of two separate lines: La Chaux de Fonds-Les Ponts de Martel and Le Locle-Les Brenets (northeast of Neuchâtel).

Plans to close Le Locle-Les Brenets in 2023 with rail operations being replaced by electric busses have now been shelved until at least 2031.

Website: http://www.transn.ch/

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 TVYS - Transports Vallée de Joux, Yverdon-les-Bains, Ste. Croix (TRAVYS)

Network length, gauge and electrification (2001):

The standard gauge part of this company used to be known as PBr - Chemin de fer Pont-Brassus. It operates trains from Le Brassus, partly through trains all the way to Lausanne. They bought two "Neue Pendel Zug" trains and some second-hand shunters only a few years ago. From August 2022 the passenger trains will be operated by SBB FLIRT trainsets, running Lausanne-Le Day-Vallorbe/Le Brassus (trains splitting/combining at Le Day).

The narrow gauge part of the company used to be known as YSC - Chemin de fer Yverdon-Ste=Croix. It operates trains from Yverdon(450m) at Lake Neuchâtel, to Ste. Croix(1050m) which is located close to the French border.

In 2008 TRAVYS took over the Chemins de fer Orbe-Chavornay (OC). OC operates a small branch line north of Lausanne. It is the only Swiss standard gauge adhesion line with DC electrification. In the near future the line will be partly replaced by a new line and electrified at 15kV, such that through operation from Orbe to Lausanne will be possible.

In 2018 1.4 million passengers travelled on all TRAVYS lines, producing 18 million passenger-km. Freight traffic (Orbe-Chavornay only) amounted 260,000 tonnes.

Website: http://www.travys.ch/

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 WRSCH - Widmer Rail Services AG

Network length, gauge and electrification (2021):

WRS is a relatively new company that operates open-access freight trains and hires locomotives and personnel to other operators. Their German subsidiary is called WRS Deutschland GmbH.

Website: https://www.w-r-s.ch/

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 ZB - Die Zentralbahn

Network length, gauge and electrification (2021):

In January 2005 the SBB Brünigbahn narrow gauge railway and the Luzern-Stans-Engelberg railway merged to become the Zentralbahn. This new company now operates narrow gauge trains on Luzern-Interlaken Ost, with a branch from Hergiswil to Engelberg (the former LSE). Both the main line and the branch have rack sections. A new line to Engelberg opened in December 2010, it reduces the gradients from 25% to 10.5% such that standard and longer trains can be used.

In 2019 10.3 million passengers travelled with ZB producing 190.8 million passenger-km, 1.5% more than in 2018. Most popular is the Luzern-Interlaken Express service.

On 1 January 2021 ZB has taken over the Meiringen-Innertkirchen Bahn from KWO. This line used to be a construction railway for the hydro-electric power plant. Later the line was opened to the public and operated by battery cars. In 1977 it was electrified and second-hand cars were bought from OEG in Mannheim(D).
In the future the former MIB line (5km, 1200V DC) might be adapted to allow through trains from Interlaken Ost to the Aareschlucht and Innertkirchen. There is already a physical connection between the ZB and MIB lines at Meiringen but the overhead voltage is different and platform lenghts do not match. Another new development might be the Grimseltunnel which would connect Innertkirchen with Oberwald (on the MGB Andermatt-Brig line).

Websites: http://www.zentralbahn.ch/ and https://www.grimselwelt.ch/

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Last update: 17-11-2024