The coronavirus costs 500,000 francs each day to SBB. This is the shock figure that the boss of the former federal government, Andreas Meyer, released on Tuesday in Bern at its latest press conference on the company’s balance sheet (see also box). Because of the epidemic, train traffic is indeed in free fall: –90% to Italy, –60% to France and –10 to –20% depending on the lines for domestic traffic. SBB is preparing to take a broth of several tens of millions. “It wouldn’t be serious to say a precise number,” says Meyer. Let’s say it will be a two-digit number that counts in millions. ”
Bravado as usual, Andreas Meyer does not let himself be won over by the disaster. And he even allows himself a provocative little statement saying that “the coronavirus is also an opportunity”. Why is that? “This will allow us to continue the digitalization of the company, and to train staff even more in teleworking.” He also encourages all companies to allow their employees to take the train during off-peak hours. It’s good for braking coronavirus, but also for unloading trains and relieving stations at peak times.
Decline in 2019
In presenting the 2019 balance sheet, the SBB boss made no secret of the fact that the year had been difficult. And we are not talking about the tragic door accident that claimed the life of an employee. This is the financial balance sheet. It is down more than 18% compared to the previous year. SBB has released “only” 463 million which will be used for reserves. This result is not qualified as a “benefit” because the SBB is largely watered by the public authorities. They received 3.6 billion from the Confederation and the Cantons for the operation, development and maintenance of infrastructure as well as for services for regional traffic.
Even SBB recognizes this, the punctuality of trains is on the decline. On some lines, it’s downright bad. “We are not satisfied with this, reacts Monika Ribar, President of the SBB Board of Directors. Punctuality has deteriorated due to work due to the extension of the network. The system is reaching its limit a bit. We always have to find the right balance between respecting the schedule and the need for infrastructure work. ”
The delays were also linked to major events such as the Fête des Vignerons, and the non-delivery on time of duplex trains for mainline traffic. Unusually, SBB also transparently recognizes planning errors concerning reserve mechanics. Will punctuality improve? Management says that due to the works, the situation will remain tense until 2021.
Drop on the declawed
There is good news, however. Passenger traffic increased sharply in 2019 with an average of 1.3 million passengers per day (+ 6%). Customer satisfaction is also increasing with regard to value for money. An observation that may surprise at first glance, but which is explained by the immense success of discounted tickets, therefore at lower cost. SBB sold nearly 9 million in 2019. For an overall price reduction of 120 million. In 2020, SBB will offer a discount on tickets of at least 100 million. It should also be noted that 3.2 million passengers (+ 5%) now have a half-fare subscription, or 40% of the population. The number of general subscriptions? It approaches the 500,000 mark.
Another satisfaction is the explosion in online ticket sales. For the first time, the majority of the 124 million tickets sold are sold via a digital channel, mainly the smartphone. “When I joined the company, there was no mobile app but paper tickets,” recalls Andreas Meyer. A touch of nostalgia invades him when passing the baton. “I have never been bored at SBB. I am proud to have been able to manage a company that has an iconic value for Switzerland for thirteen years. ”
Created: 10.03.2020, 9:30 p.m.
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