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Bern central station renovation to be delayed by two years

Not everything runs on time in Switzerland.

Published: 16 February 2022 10:26 CET

The central station in the Swiss capital of Bern. Photo by Sebastian Meier on Unsplash

The central station in the Swiss capital of Bern. Photo by Sebastian Meier on Unsplash

The renovation and expansion of the central station in the Swiss capital of Bern will be delayed by two years, authorities announced on Wednesday.

EXPLAINED: How to find cheap train tickets in Switzerland

The works on the station, Switzerland’s second largest, were set to be completed in 2027 but will now not be finished until 2029.

The Swiss federal railways (SBB), Bern railways (RBS) and the city of Bern made the announcement on February 16th, saying geological issues, the Covid pandemic and other problems will see the plans delayed.

“Demanding geological conditions and hydrological difficulties, contaminated sites, the corona pandemic and a lack of options for acceleration are delaying construction work on the highly complex large-scale project of the future Bern train station” they said in a press statement.

The delays will also push the costs of the project higher, by between CHF100 and CHF150 million francs.

The expansion and renovation project was deemed necessary due to increasing traffic in the station, which regularly hits capacity at peak times.

READ MORE: Why is Bern the ‘capital’ of Switzerland?

Work has been underway since 2017.

In addition to the construction of a new station under the existing SBB tracks, the renovation will build an additional pedestrian underpass, which will be completed in 2028.

Two new station entrances will be constructed, while the surrounding area of the station will also be incorporated into the project so as to minimise bottlenecks during peak times.

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How and where can you travel on an iconic Swiss PostBus?

If you are wondering what the big deal is — after all, a bus is just a bus — then you have been missing a truly special experience, because the route network of this particular mode of transport spans some of Switzerland’s most scenic routes.

The 2,400 PostBus vehicles currently in service cover a network of 936 lines that span almost 17,000 kilometres of picturesque country roads.

And while these buses used to transport only letters and packages, you should not worry about having to sit on top of a stack of mail and near a goat or two — these days, PostBuses transport human passengers only.

READ ALSO : What you need to know about Switzerland’s iconic yellow buses

Where can you catch a PostBus?

Unlike buses and trams crisscrossing only major urban centres, a PostBus ventures farther afield.

That’s because it is operating mostly in suburban, rural, and mountain areas, where other modes of transport could be lacking. It covers even the most remote villages and deepest valleys.

This is why you will mostly spot a PostBus in the countryside or on Alpine roads — no matter how narrow and winding.

If, for example, you want to go to the mountains but don’t feel like driving, a PostBus will bring you all the way up, practically to the top.

This link shows the entire PostBus route network in all regions of Switzerland, so you can see where the nearest one to your place of residence is.

How do you buy a ticket for the PostBus?

Just like for ‘regular’ public transport, you can download an app for the PostBus as well, through which you will be able not only to purchase your tickets, but also check the timetable.

Alternatively, you can also buy your ticket at a bus stop.

The good news is that you can also buy PostBus tickets through your SwissPass, the same way as for any other public transport.

READ ALSO: An essential guide for using Switzerland’s public transport ticket

What else do you need to know about the PostBus?

There are two further things.

One, that this bus serves not only as a public transport option, but can also be used for scenic rides.

The so-called Palm Express, for instance, starts in the resort of St. Moritz in Graubünden and ends in Lugano, Ticino.

The four-hour ride transits through the Maloja Pass, Val Bregaglia to Chiavenna (Italy), and then along Lake Como and Lake Lugano.

Secondly, it is worth riding the PostBus just to hear its unique, legendary horn, which celebrates its 100 anniversary this year.

Inaugurated in 1924, the distinctive three-tone horn comes, appropriately enough, from the overture of Rossini’s opera “William Tell.”

And by the way, the PostBus is one of many services provided by the Swiss Post Office. These are some of the others:

READ ALSO: 11 things you can do at a Swiss post office other than buy stamps

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