Bus Operations In Switzerland
Dec 5, 2023 14:26:28 GMT
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twobellstogo, greenboy, and 1 more like this
Post by busman on Dec 5, 2023 14:26:28 GMT
I spend a significant amount of time in Switzerland and cannot see another thread dedicated to this country. Public transport here is incredible with full coordination between bus, tram, train and cable car timetables throughout the country.
This weekend, 10.12.2023 marks a significant amount of change to bus services in my local canton of Zug:
1. Bus numbers are being changed to 3 digit numbers beginning with a 6, to comply with imminent Swiss legislation that states bus numbers must be distinct between each region. For example Line 1 becomes 601, line 43 becomes 643 etc.
2. Bus terminals in Zug main city are being standardised with more routes terminating at the main station square. At present many routes have significant scheduled dwelling times at Metalli (the main shopping centre) to ensure interchange with connecting long distance train services. Much (if not all) dwelling times are eliminated by directing more routes to terminate at the station main square (Zug Bahnhofplatz) and also through clever swapping of the southern termini between routes 3 and 11.
3. Massively improved services into Ägerital region. This is a picturesque region in the canton of Zug, once served long ago by a railway station. The rail line has long since closed and the population is now reliant on car or bus to travel into surrounding region. The main service, Line 1, took 3 different routings into Zug depending on the time of day. This has now been split into 2 routes - 601 and 612, and with enhanced running hours - especially welcome for the 601 which is a Monday to Friday with flow peak express on one of the 3 route variants (similar to the X68/SL6), which will now run all day morning until night 7 days a week. Routes 609, 610, and 634 get all day services too.
4. Colour coding and fonts on bus stop and information on bus displays adjusted to comply with disability legislation.
In addition there are many other smaller adjustments such as earlier and later first and last buses, improved frequencies and small adjustments such as commuter route Line 16 which will start and end one stop further at the Dammstrasse end of Zug station enabling more convenient travel for many workers in that area.
How has the rollout of these various changes been handled so far? With Swiss efficiency as you can imagine.
-Bus stops started to receive new numbers 3 weeks ago. Timetables are yet to be swapped out, but I imagine that will happen on Friday or Saturday.
- Detailed articles at the front of local newspapers since Early November. These newspapers are delivered for free to every household. Some are weekly, others monthly.
- Every household received a mini booklet detailing the 2024 timetable and routing updates for the region which also included schematics of stopping arrangements in each main interchange area.
- Clear information on the ZVB (Zug bus company) website (in German, but just hit translate in your browser if needed). Btw “Zug” translates as “Train” in English, just to make things confusing 😉:
www.zvb.ch/fahrplan/fahrplanwechsel-information/
This weekend, 10.12.2023 marks a significant amount of change to bus services in my local canton of Zug:
1. Bus numbers are being changed to 3 digit numbers beginning with a 6, to comply with imminent Swiss legislation that states bus numbers must be distinct between each region. For example Line 1 becomes 601, line 43 becomes 643 etc.
2. Bus terminals in Zug main city are being standardised with more routes terminating at the main station square. At present many routes have significant scheduled dwelling times at Metalli (the main shopping centre) to ensure interchange with connecting long distance train services. Much (if not all) dwelling times are eliminated by directing more routes to terminate at the station main square (Zug Bahnhofplatz) and also through clever swapping of the southern termini between routes 3 and 11.
3. Massively improved services into Ägerital region. This is a picturesque region in the canton of Zug, once served long ago by a railway station. The rail line has long since closed and the population is now reliant on car or bus to travel into surrounding region. The main service, Line 1, took 3 different routings into Zug depending on the time of day. This has now been split into 2 routes - 601 and 612, and with enhanced running hours - especially welcome for the 601 which is a Monday to Friday with flow peak express on one of the 3 route variants (similar to the X68/SL6), which will now run all day morning until night 7 days a week. Routes 609, 610, and 634 get all day services too.
4. Colour coding and fonts on bus stop and information on bus displays adjusted to comply with disability legislation.
In addition there are many other smaller adjustments such as earlier and later first and last buses, improved frequencies and small adjustments such as commuter route Line 16 which will start and end one stop further at the Dammstrasse end of Zug station enabling more convenient travel for many workers in that area.
How has the rollout of these various changes been handled so far? With Swiss efficiency as you can imagine.
-Bus stops started to receive new numbers 3 weeks ago. Timetables are yet to be swapped out, but I imagine that will happen on Friday or Saturday.
- Detailed articles at the front of local newspapers since Early November. These newspapers are delivered for free to every household. Some are weekly, others monthly.
- Every household received a mini booklet detailing the 2024 timetable and routing updates for the region which also included schematics of stopping arrangements in each main interchange area.
- Clear information on the ZVB (Zug bus company) website (in German, but just hit translate in your browser if needed). Btw “Zug” translates as “Train” in English, just to make things confusing 😉:
www.zvb.ch/fahrplan/fahrplanwechsel-information/
