SBB-Ducrot defends price increases

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Switzerland must adapt to 4.3 percent higher ticket prices in public transport. The first price increase in seven years. According to SBB boss Vincent Ducrot (60), there was nothing else to do.

According to Ducrot, the price of the ticket does not come first, but fourth for train travelers. What’s more important is the speed of travel, the density and the frequency at which a train runs, Ducrot said in Radio SRF’s “Saturday Review” on Saturday. Polls would have shown that. Ducrot is therefore convinced that more people will not switch to the car just because ticket prices are more expensive.

“See how the calculation works out”

“We are currently in a lot of debt,” said the SBB boss, “every company has to make sure its accounts are correct.” To the accusation that the prices did not become cheaper with extra income, he replied that SBB passes these on to customers via supersaver tickets. It’s huge how many people use it, says Ducrot.

Ducrot justifies the higher price increase for 2nd class compared to 1st class with a new offer. A credit subscription is introduced between the general subscription and the half-rate card. Ducrot believes that those in between are more likely to switch to this product.

There is room for improvement

Ducrot sees improvement in SBB rail traffic, particularly in terms of travel speed, flexibility of train compositions and connecting train connections to Europe. In freight transport, the entire logistics, especially the combination of road and rail, must also be improved.

It needs to be consolidated and further expanded. “Mobility in Switzerland is growing and growing. We have no choice but to follow this trend,” says Ducrot. There is no taboo for the SBB boss to build new routes. Several studies on new lines have been commissioned, for example on the Aarau – Zurich section. But in the end, parliament decides. (SDA/lazy)

Source:Blick