Resumption of the normal timetable will take place in stages. After the first extension of the service on 27 April, further long-distance and regional trains began running again on 11 May 2020 in addition to the services already running:
- IR90 Brig–Lausanne–Genève-Aéroport: back to normal operation for the most part
- S40 Fribourg–Romont: all services resumed
- S8 Palézieux–Payerne: all services resumed
- Zurich S-Bahn: all S19 services resumed, various S20, S21 and S23 services resumed
SBB’s subsidiary TILO will also increase its offer in Ticino again on 11 May. Information can be found here (in Italian).
As a result, the trains on many routes will once again be running at the usual intervals. SBB anticipates that the next stage in the extension of the service offer will occur in early June—depending on further measures from the Federal Council to relax restrictions.
Connecting services will be maintained wherever possible. Disruptions to services and missed connections cannot be ruled out in the initial phase of service resumption. Passengers are kindly asked to check the online timetable before every journey to receive up-to-date information.
International passenger services are still suspended
Cross-border passenger services will be gradually resumed in agreement with partner railways and in line with the official regulations of neighbouring countries. Weekend night connections and tourist-travel services remain suspended. Services on the train, such as luggage transport (with the exception of door-to-door luggage services), and group reservations will not be resumed for the time being. These services will be reintroduced at a later date as soon as it is permitted by Federal-Council measures.
From 11 May onwards, two services will run daily between France and Switzerland in each direction, one each between Basel and Paris (excluding Zurich) and between Geneva and Paris. There are currently entry restrictions in France. Travel is only permitted in exceptional cases.
Buy tickets online and use contactless payment
The protection plan for passengers and staff allows for ticket counters, which were temporarily closed, to reopen and their opening hours to be extended. Ticket checks by passenger attendants will be resumed on long-distance trains. Customers are kindly asked to continue purchasing tickets online, via apps or at ticket machines as far as possible and to use contactless payment at ticket counters.
Avoid travel at peak times
FOPH recommendations on social distancing and hygiene continue to apply and it is important that they are followed. Customers using public transport are required to comply with the protection plan for public transport. People should continue to work from home if possible and avoid travelling at peak times.
Cleanliness is essential
SBB is doing everything it can to protect the health of its employees and customers. Therefore cleaning staff are currently being deployed more frequently than usual. SBB is making a point of cleaning more frequently and intensively all those areas with which passengers could come into direct contact. This includes door buttons, handles and handrails, as well as benches, information points and ticket machines. In addition, SBB has provided hand-sanitiser dispensers at larger stations. Several times a day, contact and surfaces such as handrails, buttons, tables, armrests and toilets on trains are also cleaned and disinfected. On lines where demand is particularly high, additional en-route cleaning is carried out.