Unveiled: Train Routes in Switzerland with Frequent Delays
Having a blast with Switzerland's trains, eh?
The Swiss might the world champions of punctuality, but even a nation as organized as this one can't always keep things running smoothly.
Analyzing train routes from the 2024 timetable, CH Media discovered some interesting findings. Over 95% of regular traffic operated by SBB, the national railway company, was rarely delayed by more than three minutes on average. For the final stop, an impressive 98% of trains were usually on time, with some even arriving a few minutes early!
However, it's those few problematic trains that can cause quite the domino effect, messing up the carefully coordinated Swiss railway timetable. Many international trains that start their journeys abroad are infamous for their tardiness and ensuing delays on the Swiss part of their trips.
Night trains and those from Vienna to Zurich, Amsterdam, Hamburg, and Graz top the list for chronic delays. Some daytime connections from abroad, such as the EuroCity from Venice, face similar issues.
The SBB isn't shy about blaming foreign train companies for these delays. For instance, many trains from Italy towards Cadenazzo, where they continue to Swiss destinations, arrive late in Switzerland. But once they leave Swiss territory, they tend to arrive on time.
As for the SBB's domestic issues, close to 5% of trains aren't quite up to the Swiss standard of punctuality. The S9 and Intercity trains leaving Basel are among the offenders, with an average delay of several minutes at certain stations. Despite these delays, the SBB usually manages to make up for them before reaching their final destination. The only other train regularly arriving late is the S24 between Zug and Zurich.
So, is a three-minute delay a big deal in Switzerland? Well, yes. From a practical point of view, even slight delays can ripple and cause further delays at subsequent stations. Culturally, tardiness just doesn't sit right with Switzerland's meticulous citizens.
Ever wondered why the Swiss are so obsessed with being on time? You'll find the answer in the related article!
Additional Reading:
- What causes delays in foreign trains operating on Swiss routes? Factors include engineering works, bad weather, infrastructure upgrades, international cooperation challenges, and natural disasters.
- Delays in Switzerland's own trains can be attributed to the complexity of international operations, infrastructure challenges, weather-related disruptions, and public expectations for reliability and punctuality.
- In 2025, extensive modernization works on the Simplon axis will close the line for specific periods, reducing train frequencies and prolonging travel times.
- Despite SBB's impressive record of punctuality, connections from foreign cities like Venice, Vienna, Amsterdam, Hamburg, and Graz often experience chronic delays.
- The Swiss railway industry places a strong emphasis on pragmatic solutions, as shown in their domestic issue of nearly 5% of trains not meeting the Swiss standard of punctuality.
- Analyzing the 2024 timetable, CH Media found that over 95% of SBB's regular traffic has an average delay of just three minutes, while a staggering 98% of trains arrive on time for the final stop.
- Public transit, a crucial component of Switzerland's transportation sector, is deeply intertwined with the country's lifestyle and financial norms, making even slight delays a significant concern.
- The SBB often points to foreign train companies as the culprit for delays, with trains from Italy to Swiss destinations regularly arriving late, but consistently arriving on time once they leave Swiss territory.
