SBB closes individual lines completely during major construction work. This means that customers will have to accept longer journey times. We know that this is annoying. But why is a service interruption often the best solution when construction work is being carried out? In this article, find out why this is and discover other useful information about service interruptions.
Whenever possible, SBB carries out its construction work while trains continue to run. If this is not operationally feasible or the planned construction work renders this impracticable, a line may be closed for a certain amount of time. This allows work to be carried out in a much shorter time than if trains were still operating.
An example: in summer 2025 there were various construction sites between Bern and Fribourg. SBB grouped the work together and carried it out during a service interruption lasting two months. Without this service interruption, only working nights and weekends, this work would have taken around three years. This would have led to considerably longer restrictions for passengers.
This was a more efficient, faster and cheaper way of carrying out the construction work. It also reduced the risk of disruptions to rail traffic, such as the line not being ready for rail services early in the morning due to defective machinery.
Construction work is often done at night or at the weekend when fewer trains are running – especially for minor maintenance work to the rail network or when a service interruption is not operationally feasible. Although no or fewer passenger trains run at night, freight trains operate on many lines.
Much construction work is also done during the day – when only one of several tracks is affected and closed, for example. Although this can result in changes to platforms and departure times, there are no cancellations.
For major construction projects, a service interruption is often the best solution for all parties concerned. When services are interrupted, work is sometimes carried out at night, if necessary even 24 hours a day and 7 days a week in order get the work done as efficiently as possible.
- Construction and renovation projects: major expansion projects, such as an additional track to allow more trains to run.
- Maintenance: maintenance work on the rail network, such as replacing contact lines or railway renovations.
- Grouping construction work: various maintenance and extension projects on a section of the line are grouped together and carried out within the same time frame. Municipalities often take advantage of these closures to carry out construction work close to the rail network, such as work on an underpass.
Where possible, alternative train routes are made available to passengers. If this is not possible, the cancelled trains are replaced by buses. This often leads to longer journey times.
SBB informs customers about forthcoming restrictions both online as well as at the stations concerned and in trains. Timetable changes appear as soon as possible in the online timetable and in the SBB Mobile app. Depending on the extent of restrictions, SBB staff will be on duty to assist passengers. Major interruptions to services can also be found on the
SBB does everything it can to minimise the restrictions and noise of construction work. Passengers are advised to check the online timetable at sbb.ch or in the SBB Mobile app prior to every journey. If you have any questions, please contact the SBB Travel Centre or the SBB Contact Center on 0848 44 66 88 (CHF 0.08/min.).
Whenever possible, SBB schedules service interruptions for times when fewer trains and passengers are on the move. This is mainly at the weekend, during holidays or when demand is lower due to seasonal fluctuations.
