Press releases, News

Second season for Hirschberg public transport connection towards Alpstein

This year, public transport passengers in Appenzell will once again benefit from seamless connections towards Schwendetal at weekends. During the summer season, PostBus offers direct connections from the Hirschberg stop to Wasserauen every half an hour between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Connections to Brülisau are also guaranteed.

Rich Content Section

A Postbus waits at the Hirschberg stop for passengers arriving on Appenzell Railways.
This year, the Hirschberg stop will again provide a seamless public transport connection towards Schwendetal.

For passengers travelling from Altstätten and St. Gallen, there will once again be a seamless public transport connection in Appenzell towards Schwendetal at weekends during this year’s summer season. The trial operation offering a PostBus service from Appenzell Railways’ (AR) Hirschberg stop is entering its second season and offers AR passengers a direct connection towards Wasserauen.

At weekends and on public holidays

The service is available at weekends and on public holidays from 29 April to 29 October 2023. The Postbus departs from the Hirschberg stop every half an hour between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Departures are scheduled at x.02 and x.32, i.e. immediately after the train has arrived. The timetables are also available online. The usual tickets for the Ostwind fare network, the Bodensee Ticket, the Appenzell Holiday Card, the guest card for Eastern Switzerland and the Half Fare Travelcard and GA Travelcard are valid.

On the journey towards Wasserauen, the Postbus stops in Weissbad and Schwende, with a connection to Brülisau in Weissbad. For return journeys from Wasserauen or Brülisau, the usual public transport connections (train or PostBus) are still available, with transfer options in Appenzell towards Gais–St. Gallen or Gais–Altstätten.

Trial operation entering its second year

Thanks to its cooperation with the Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Railways, PostBus was able to perform the seamless connection from Hirschberg station towards Alpstein in a short time frame last year. The service is now entering the second year of a trial operation that is expected to last three years. With demand of over 6,500 people, the strong public transport connection towards Alpstein also contributed to reducing capacity difficulties at the car park in Wasserauen. On peak days, more than 250 people travelled from Hirschberg towards Wasserauen. As a result of this encouragingly high Postbus utilization during the 2022 summer season, the PostBus connection from Hirschberg will operate once again in summer 2023.

Newsletter

Every month, our newsletter provides information and inspiration, with exciting leisure offers, practical travel and savings tips, and attractive competitions.

Register now

This might interest you too

On the way to St. Anton, there are magnificent views of the Rhine Valley and the St. Gallen Oberland and Graubünden mountains.

St. Anton route

Discover rolling hills, lush greenery and scattered settlements in a healthy, unspoilt landscape.

Find out more
Even in winter, it’s well worth a visit: the Hoher Kasten revolving restaurant.

Hoher Kasten in Alpstein (AI)

From the top of Appenzell’s Hoher Kasten mountain, you can enjoy a fantastic panoramic vista.

Find out more
© Appenzellerland Tourismus AI

Appenzell “Pfeff ond Lischt” trail

The discovery trail for the whole family runs from Appenzell to the assembly point via Schlatt. At 13 different stations, you can experience numerous sensory experiences of sight and sound, and to test your dexterity.

Find out more