SBB boss Vincent Ducrot: “Sometimes I feel embarrassed when I read our customers’ reports”

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While trains are coming to a halt in our neighboring country, Germany, due to strikes and winter, the majority of the people in this country are proud of our federal railway.

But as he noted in an interview on Saturday, the SBB CEO doesn’t just have reason to be happy. Vincent Ducrot (61) told CH-Media: “I sometimes feel embarrassed when I read our customers’ reports about the state of the night train fleet. I apologize for that.” They were very impressed with the success and promised to improve. ÖBB and Trenitalia ordered new rolling stock. Patience is required until these are delivered.

Direct connection to London

SBB wants to expand night timetables further and also offer night trains to Rome, Barcelona and possibly Naples in the future.

Ducrot also raises the possibility that in the future it will be possible to travel directly from Switzerland to London without changing trains. SP National Assembly Member Matthias Aebischer (56) had called for such a direct connection. The SBB boss said we are still waiting for a relevant study. It also promises that online tickets for international rail connections will finally be available from next year.

SBB also wants to significantly expand its leisure transportation service, especially on weekends. “We need a reliable base rhythm throughout the week, but we can differentiate more on the weekend.” Additionally, SBB aims to be even more present at every major event such as wrestling festivals in the future.

SBB faces shortage of skilled workers

However, Ducrot says that, like many companies, SBB is struggling to find enough employees. “Our biggest problem is the shortage of qualified personnel.” The company has more than 1,000 open positions, primarily in technical fields and positions with irregular working hours.

Most young people no longer wanted these working conditions, and the proportion of part-time workers was also increasing. Ducrot complains that around 1,000 SBB employees retire every year and that it is not easy to replace them. “In some professions, digitalization will help us be more efficient. We must take more advantage of these opportunities,” said the SBB boss. (he)

Source :Blick