Timetable change in Western Switzerland

This year, a major expansion will reinforce PostBus’s existing range of services, particularly in the cantons of Vaud and Neuchâtel. In Vaud, this is the postal company’s biggest ever timetable overhaul, with no fewer than 1.2 million kilometres added to the timetable, representing an increase of more than 10%. There are two reasons for this change: firstly, due to the changes to the SBB timetable, which are having a considerable impact on the canton, and secondly, as a result of Vaud’s bold climate plan.

For PostBus, the other key element is the electrification of its fleet in Western Switzerland. In 2025, 31 buses will be added to the fleet, replacing the diesel buses by the end of the year. The postal company has set itself the target of phasing out the use of fossil fuels by 2035, meaning that 2,300 vehicles – or its entire fleet – will be converted. In addition to this change, the electricity supply will have to come from a renewable source. This measure is an important lever in Swiss Post’s energy strategy, which aims to achieve net zero CO₂ emissions by 2040.

Canton of Vaud: a solid range of services!

As mentioned, we have considerably increased services in the canton of Vaud, while on the Lausanne – Geneva route, the changes are certainly the most significant. From now on, connecting trains will arrive at Gland instead of Rolle, resulting in a reorganization of timetables throughout the La Côte network. To ensure there are connections and a high-quality service, the sector had to be completely redesigned, with a view to minimizing the need for additional buses. A lot of work has been carried out in conjunction with the various municipalities, the canton and the public transport companies to ensure the uniformity of the network. The result is the extension of several itineraries, the creation of new routes and the development of alternative itineraries, with the aim of offering the best possible connections without overcrowding the network. The other regions of Vaud, in particular Gros-de-Vaud, will also see a number of route overhauls, increases in frequency and improvements to connections – in short, a general improvement of services. Lastly, electrification will begin in the canton with the first six Vaud Postbuses next year.At the same time, these improvements will also have some negative effects. For example, on certain routes, waiting times for connections will be longer. We have tried to minimize these effects, but given that public transport is a system in which different players are involved, they cannot be totally avoided. 

Cantons of Neuchâtel and Fribourg: several improvements

In Neuchâtel (particularly the routes in the lower regions of the canton) and in Fribourg, users will benefit from improved services and connections. Route changes are also planned in Neuchâtel.

Canton of Valais: improvement of links with neighbouring cantons and electrification

In terms of timetables, various improvements will be made to the entire Valais network. Mobilis, the fare network for the canton of Vaud, which is also in place in the Chablais region of Valais, will see an extension of the PostBus routes in the St-Maurice region. In the Annivière region, ten additional journeys will be added to each of the valley’s routes. In Upper Valais, several new morning services will be introduced to connect with the first train to Bern. In addition, the Moosalp region will be better served in future, and peak season timetables will be extended. While electrification is already under way in the upper region of the canton (in the Saas Valley), it will begin in the Western Switzerland part in 2025. The town of Sion will welcome a fleet of 20 electric vehicles to the streets of Valais’ capital, and two other routes will be electrified between the center and lower regions of the canton. Upper Valais will continue its initiatives next year with Brig and the surrounding region.

MOBIJU: minor adjustments in the canton of Jura

There will be no major changes in the canton, only some minor adjustments to the timetable. In Delémont, routes 1 and 3 are merging to optimize the transport there. Remember that in the canton of Jura, Postbuses run under the MOBIJU colours, so details of the changes can be consulted directly on the www.mobiju.ch website as of 2 December.

We strongly advise users – particularly in the cantons of Vaud and Neuchâtel – to refer to the online timetable or the SBB app before their journey.

Details of

• the various changes can be viewed directly at: www.postauto.ch/fahrplanwechsel (in German);
• The full range of services is available all year round at www.postauto.ch/en/timetable-and-network;
• information, routes and timetables: www.postbus.ch.