From the timetable change on 11 December, there will be direct connections between Romanshorn TG and Interlaken BE every two hours. This means that the Bernese Oberland is now better connected with eastern Switzerland and the greater Zurich region, as SBB explains. In addition, Basel and Olten SO benefit from additional direct links to Valais.
Trains run directly from Montreux VD to Interlaken. Also popular with tourists, this Golden Pass route was made possible by rail cars that can change gauge: trains in Zweisimmen BE change from narrow gauge to standard gauge, and as a Bernese construction and transport company, passengers no longer need to change trains. department announced.
Every half hour from Zurich to Chur
Intercity trains between Zurich and Chur run almost every half hour on weekends, according to SBB. In the future, there will also be two direct intercity connections between Geneva and Chur on weekends. It was said that Bündnerland can now be reached directly from Romandy.
On the Gotthard axis, the offer will be expanded especially in the summer: there are additional trains going south on Friday and in the opposite direction on Sunday.
The “historic” beginning of the Limmat Valley Railway
Aid trains for commuters continue to run mornings and evenings between Zurich and Bern and between Zurich and Lucerne. Also, some canceled connections between Zurich and Arth-Goldau SZ will be gradually reopened until next June.
The transport company Aargau Verkehr (AVA) has described the start of the Limmat Valley Railway as “historic”. It connects the canton of Aargau with the canton of Zurich and stretches from Killwangen AG to Zurich-Altstetten.
The Waldenburg railway between Waldenburg BL and Liestal will reopen on a 13-kilometer route of approximately the same length after the timetable change.
More trains abroad
The offer for train travel abroad is also being expanded. There is now an additional night train that can also be used to reach Prague by train from Zurich and Basel to Leipzig and Dresden.
SBB wrote that the train has become an increasingly preferred means of transport, especially when traveling abroad. Accordingly, there will be gradually more seats on night trains to Hamburg, Berlin, Vienna and Graz. There are also more direct trains between Zurich and Stuttgart.
The “Railplus” discount card cannot be used when the flight schedule is changed. This made it possible to travel 15 percent cheaper in international passenger transportation. Industry body Alliance Swiss Pass announced that the card will be withdrawn from sale across Europe next year.
No price increase
According to the industry body, public transport prices will remain stable next year. However, rising electricity prices are also affecting SBB. The Federal Department of Transportation therefore plans to increase current towing prices.
As of the end of 2023, the credit subscription, in short, the “public transport credit” model will be introduced. It aims to compensate for the loss of customers for GA travel cards. According to the Alliance Swiss Pass, the product range for young people will have more attractive prices.
With the current tariff change, it will be easier to buy tickets for a bike or dog. A dog card is also available later as a monthly subscription.
(SDA)