Communication: SBB will once again speak of “personal accident”

On June 4, SBB will adapt information to customers in the event of a person accident using the expression “personal accident” on all channels as a reason for disruption. The main objective is to inform travelers in a transparent manner about operating disturbances, communicate SBB this May 5.

Accidents of people are heavy with suffering for those concerned, for relatives and for survivors. They are heavy with consequences on rail traffic too. Accidents of people are not always suicides, but they are often. This is why CFFs have been actively committed to suicide prevention for years, for example by organizing training for staff or taking measures relating to construction. In addition, SBB has close exchanges with the authorities, specialized services and organizations in order to ensure joint awareness and support each other.

Over the past ten years, until the summer of 2024, SPFs have informed of the “person accident” reason only in trains and stations directly concerned. No reason has been indicated in the online schedule, nor on other information channels. This has caused more and more negative questions and reactions.

The reason for “an event linked to an external cause” was introduced in the summer of 2024. The expression “person accident” continued to be used in trains and stations directly concerned, but not on other customer information channels. By “event linked to an external cause”, we mean events whose cause is neither a technical breakdown nor a natural phenomenon. In addition to accidents of people, situations such as the presence of people or animals near the tracks, collisions with animals or police interventions were also designated. The objective was to improve travelers information in the event of service disturbances.

Travelers did not understand what it was about, as many returns have shown. In addition, SBB staff have often been faced with misunderstanding, and has also been the subject of an increasing number of attacks. SBBs have therefore decided to inform uniform and transparent about people’s accidents. From June 4, the expression “accidents of people” will be used. Thanks to clear communication, travelers can better understand interruptions, better assess the consequences and learn about travel alternatives. The public transport branch will be involved in the implementation of this change.