What does high train occupancy mean?

If a train is very busy, i.e. if there are as many or even more passengers on the train than there are seats available, then we refer this as “high occupancy” or “overcrowding”.

Who determines what constitutes overcrowding? Are the passengers counted?

The head passenger attendant assesses the situation but does not count the passengers.

Why are there stricter rules for the Gotthard Base Tunnel?

In the event of a fire in the Gotthard Base Tunnel, trains are driven out of the tunnel whenever possible. This procedure requires that passengers can escape into another coach from a coach that is on fire. Of course, this requires a certain level of space in reserve.

What happens if there are too many passengers on the train?

If there are too many passengers on the train, the head passenger attendant may ask passengers to leave the train.

Does it happen often that passengers have to leave the train?

It happens very rarely. For trains travelling through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, one out of approximately 850 trains experiences a situation where passengers have to disembark for safety reasons.

What is the maximum occupancy rate?

SBB long-distance trains can be a maximum of 160% full. That means that a maximum of 60% more people can travel than there are seats available. For trains travelling through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, a maximum occupancy rate of 140% applies. These are guideline values.

Where do these provisions come from?

These provisions are specified by SBB as the operator of both the trains and the Gotthard Base Tunnel.

What happens if not enough passengers disembark?

If not enough passengers agree to leave the train, the train cannot continue and will be cancelled.

Is there any compensation available for passengers who have to leave the train?

SBB does not provide for compensation in such cases. However, the passenger attendants can issue coffee vouchers for the dining car at their own discretion.

There are lots of passengers on the move during rush hours, at weekends, on public holidays and in good weather. How can I travel comfortably despite this?

Follow our tips on travel planning for a relaxing journey. Click here to go to the travel tips

Questions and answers on crowded trains and occupancy.

Ever been on a train where passengers were asked to leave due to overcrowding? What does overcrowding mean? And what can you do to avoid travelling on overcrowded trains? Find the answers here.

Train occupancy.

Overcrowding becomes a problem when the safety of passengers and the train crew can no longer be guaranteed in an emergency situation. In an emergency, it is critical that everyone can evacuate quickly. If the aisles of a train are blocked by luggage or passengers, this cannot be guaranteed. Consequently, staff are instructed to limit the occupancy of long-distance trains when passenger volumes are very high.

For the Gotthard Base Tunnel, there are increased safety regulations in force.

No one is forced to leave the train because in Switzerland, transport obligation is in force. Anyone with a valid ticket is allowed to travel. However, the passenger attendants can prevent the train from departing if safety cannot be guaranteed. As the next train usually leaves a short time later, there are always volunteers who are happy to leave the train.

We use occupancy forecasts to guide passengers towards taking trains with lower occupancy rates. What’s more, we run additional trains on peak days such as Ascension Day or during the Easter holidays. In exceptional cases, however, overcrowding may still occur, for example, if another train is cancelled at short notice.

Train formation and occupancy rate.

You can find information about the occupancy rate in 1st and 2nd class in the connection overview. In the train formation view, you can find further details about the occupancy rate in individual coaches.

Both occupancy predictions are represented by three stick people. These show how high the occupancy rate is. The following scale is used to do so:

1 stick person: low to medium occupancy expected.
2 stick people: high occupancy expected.
3 stick people: very high occupancy expected. The stick people are then coloured red.

Occupancy forecasts exist to inform our passengers about the occupancy rate of each train.

This is a forecast based on empirical values. SBB records the number of travellers for this purpose. Data is taken from the previous year and the last 2-3 weeks and is supplemented by regular customer surveys and current (group) reservation data. Factors such as holidays and public holidays at both the origin and the destination as well as the weather are taken into account.

Forecasts for current occurrences, such as service disruptions or isolated train cancellations, have a delayed response.

Information on the order of coaches (also known as “formation data”) can be found for your chosen connection by swiping in the SBB Mobile app or selecting train information in the timetable on SBB.ch.

The train information gives the sectors where coaches will stop, the order of coaches, the individual types of coaches (family coach, restaurant, bicycle storage space and wheelchair spaces), classes of coach (1st and 2nd class) and the direction of travel.

In the SBB Mobile app:

The train formation will be displayed after you swipe. You will see the direction of travel, sectors on the platform, accessible coaches and occupancy forecasts. — Image legend: The train formation will be displayed after you swipe.

In the timetable on SBB.ch:

Image legend: Choose your preferred connection in the SBB.ch timetable. Click on the link labelled “Show train formation” in the connection details.

After clicking on the link, you will see the train formation. The page will show you the direction of travel, sectors on the platform, accessible coaches and occupancy predictions. — Image legend: After clicking on the link, you will see the train formation.

Questions from the Community.

Published: 05.07.2023 06:34

How to get a spot on a train

Good morning! I will, with my Swiss Travel Card Flex go from Zürich Flughafen to Martigny on Sunday, I can see when looking for a ticket that the train from Züch to Bern is very full, how can I know that I will be able to travel with this train and that it won’t be completely full on the day I want to travel? Thanks you in advance, Kristina

Published: 06.07.2023 07:01

RolandPLink opens in new window. Good morning and thank you for your reply Roland! This means I do not need to worry about the occupancy indication with the three red persons in this? I should be able to get on the train at least? I don’t need a seat necessarily. Kristina1_0-1688626868583.png

View post in the Community Link opens in new window.
Published: 13.02.2023 16:25

Seat reservation for train to airport

I have purchased a Saver Day Pass for train from Zermatt to Geneva Airport on 17 March but it doesnt allow seat reservation for the 7.15am train, and the occupancy rate is labelled as “crazy”. So should I be worried that the train might be full and that I wont be able to get a seat? Is there any other way to get a guaranteed seat on the train as I am catching a flight back to Malaysia on that day. Thank you for yoir help.

Published: 13.02.2023 17:48

Hello inashamLink opens in new window. Seat reservations are only possible on EC and IC trains, not on IR trains. The train is running during rush hour; however, there will be enough seats available for one person. The train gets crowded from Martigny onwards. Best regards,
Roland

View post in the Community Link opens in new window.
Published: 02.11.2022 16:02

Do I need to reserve seats for my day pass from Geneva to Zermatt over the holi…

Do I need to reserve seats for my day pass from Geneva to Zermatt over the holidays? Hello Do I need to reserve seats for my day pass from Geneva to Zermatt over the holidays? thank you

Published: 03.11.2022 06:00

Hi SwissTravelLink opens in new window. On the Geneva-Visp-Zermatt stretch, it is not possible to reserve seats. Seat reservations are only possible in EC, IC, or PE trains. You may download the SBB Mobile app. On the day of departure, look up the connection you desire to take. In the connection details, it is possible to see the average occupancy per car. Board one of the cars which indicate lower frequency. Best regards,
Roland

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Questions and answers on crowded trains and occupancy.

Train occupancy.

Train formation and occupancy rate.

In the SBB Mobile app:

In the timetable on SBB.ch:

Questions from the Community.

How to get a spot on a train

Seat reservation for train to airport

Do I need to reserve seats for my day pass from Geneva to Zermatt over the holi…

Want to get in touch with us?

Do you still have questions?

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Questions and answers on crowded trains and occupancy.

Train occupancy.

What does high train occupancy mean?

Is overcrowding a problem?

Who determines what constitutes overcrowding? Are the passengers counted?

Why are there stricter rules for the Gotthard Base Tunnel?

What happens if there are too many passengers on the train?

Does it happen often that passengers have to leave the train?

What is the maximum occupancy rate?

Where do these provisions come from?

Can SBB force passengers to leave the train?

What happens if not enough passengers disembark?

Is there any compensation available for passengers who have to leave the train?

What is SBB doing to avoid situations like this?

Train formation and occupancy rate.

Where can I see how busy a train is?

What is an occupancy forecast?

Where can I find a specific coach?

There are lots of passengers on the move during rush hours, at weekends, on public holidays and in good weather. How can I travel comfortably despite this?

Questions from the Community.

How to get a spot on a train

Seat reservation for train to airport

Do I need to reserve seats for my day pass from Geneva to Zermatt over the holi…

Want to get in touch with us?

Do you still have questions?

SBB Community.