The transition to the new CFF timetable took place without major problems for commuters on Monday morning. Punctuality was described as good and no overloads on board the trains were noted.
“Our observation after a day and a half of commissioning is very positive. It’s mission accomplished for the first day,” declared David Fattebert, regional director of the CFF to the media gathered on Monday at the Renens (VD) operations center. .
As a median on the French-speaking network, trains were 13 seconds behind the planned timetable. “This punctuality has never been achieved in French-speaking Switzerland for several years,” he exclaimed. The Broye line, however, tarnished this result a little. “We still have big infrastructure challenges in this region,” he said.
>> Also read the details of timetable changes in French-speaking Switzerland: The major CFF timetable change in French-speaking Switzerland comes into effect this Sunday
Best targeted scaling
The fifty customer assistants present in the main stations in the region have been little used. “Commuters were generally very well informed,” observed David Fattebert.
Both elderly people and families with luggage managed to change platforms without stress and in less than three minutes, while the connection time is five minutes
Trains between 7 and 8 a.m., particularly frequented by commuters, will be subject to increased monitoring in the coming days. “Measures will have to be taken to ensure that passengers are spread out along the entire length of the train,” he added.
The change at Renens, which has become necessary for certain journeys between Neuchâtel and Geneva, was also closely examined by the CFF. “Both elderly people and families with luggage managed to change platforms without stress and in less than three minutes, while the connection time is five minutes,” rejoiced David Fattebert.
Habits of commuters sometimes turned upside down
On the ground, the testimonies are more nuanced. Many commuters have had to adapt their habits, particularly those passing through Renens station, which has now become a nerve center.
I come from Neuchâtel and I am going to Geneva. Before, there was a live, but now we have to make a change in Renens. Basically, my journey is quite long. To add 10 minutes to the outward and return journey still impacts me
“This changes because I live in Renens. As a result, I can take ICNs more quickly. I no longer need to go to Lausanne to go to Geneva or Bern. So it’s a big plus for me” , testifies one of them on the microphone of 12:30 p.m.
“I come from Neuchâtel and I’m going to Geneva. Before, there was a direct, but now, we have to make a change in Renens. Basically, my journey is quite long. To add 10 minutes to me there and back return, it still impacts me”, explains another commuter who is a little less happy about the change in schedule.
>> Update on the situation after a day in Renens, in La Matinale:
Unavoidable incidents
“Today I am a very happy operations manager,” said Patrick Michaud, head of the Renens operations center. “Of course, some trains run late, but dealing with these problems is part of our daily work.”
No less than 2,500 trains run every day on the 800 kilometers of railway tracks in French-speaking Switzerland. Some 500 incidents take place daily, the vast majority of which go unnoticed by travelers.
ats/fgn
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