Switzerland - BLS AG

BLS AG is an independent company operated according to private-sector management principles which has successfully positioned itself in both passenger traffic along the north-south axis through the Lötschberg, regional passenger traffic in the Berne metropolitan area, and freight traffic through the Alps.

BLS AG
Genfergasse 11
Postfach
CH-3001 Bern
http://www.bls.ch

General Data
Length of network: 449 km (2009)
Number of employees: 791 (2009)

Path planning & access conditions

Deadline for application for annual time table: 12.04.2010

Allocation responsibilities:
Swiss Train Paths Ltd

Schwarztorstrasse 31
CH-3001 Bern
Direct +41 31 384 20 40
www.train-paths.ch

Safety Certificate & License:
Swiss Federal Office of Transport

CH-3003 Bern
Tel. +41 (0)31/322 57 11
Fax +41 (0)31/322 58 11
www.bav.admin.ch

General Network Access Conditions
The authorisation of a company to use the Swiss railway network is issued by the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT). The provisions of the Railways Act and the Network Access Ordinance form the basis for the authorisation.

The main provisions in shortened form:

The train operating company applying for network access must have its registered office in Switzerland or the European Union.
The access of other foreign companies is subject to the respective bilateral agreements.
The company must hold a concession or licence to run trains according to the Railway Act.
The financial bases of the company must be sound.
The company must have an insurance coverage of at least CHF 100 million per case of damage.
It must have qualified personnel to guarantee safe operation.
Its vehicles must meet the legal requirements for safe train operation.
It must guarantee that the safety regulations applying to the line to be travelled on are respected.

Last update April 2010