RBS

For several months, owing to flange noise, the blue commuter trains from Worb stopped running through the city of Bern. During that time, new and hopefully quieter wheels were installed on the vehicles. With the 2011 timetable, the ‘Blaue Bähnli’ will run again as Line 6 to Fischermätteli.

Greece

The railways in Greece are in a dire state, technically and financially. A lot of money has been invested in recent years in the improvement of public transport in Greece. Today parts of the Greek railways are for sale. Maybe some of the run down lines and unused rolling stock will become the Greek ruins of modern times.

Jail coaches

With the change of the time table, the Swiss railways abandon the sale of tickets also in long distance trains. Passengers without a valid ticket must pay a substantial fee. This will inevitably change the role and image of train staff. We wonder if the equipment of the railway police with fire arms has to be seen in the same context. Maybe the recently re-engineered jail coaches could help to keep unlawful passengers under control.

Weak Euro

With the current exchange rate between the strong Swiss Franc and the weak Euro, it is very tempting to go shopping in the Euro-zone. Not only do Swiss house wives benefit from cheap meat, sausage and cheese bought across the border, but also Swiss railways and public transport authorities tend to purchase their rolling stock where it is cheaper.