Between Worblaufen and Bern: Fourth disruption on the RBS route

Friday 04th October 2024 09:04 AM

– Black week for RBS

An outdated signal box has been confusing rail traffic on the RBS network for days. Passengers are upset.

Published today at 9:13 am Updated 54 minutes ago

RBS also had to use replacement buses between Bern train station and Worblaufen on Friday morning.

Foto: Franziska Rothenbühler

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On Friday morning, commuters between Worblaufen and Bern had to switch to replacement buses again. There were train cancellations and delays on this RBS route. The problem was resolved shortly after 9 a.m. At 11 a.m., the RBS reported the next disruption on the route – this would last at least until the end of operations on Friday, as the RBS reported on X at 1 p.m.

Technical problems have occurred several times on this route since Monday. On Monday there were interruptions in the morning until 1 p.m. There were disruptions all day on Tuesday. The all-clear was only given on Wednesday night at 12:50 a.m.

The RBS announced on Tuesday evening that the reason for the disruption was problems with the signal box. “These were due to the night work,” said media spokeswoman Franziska Sander on Friday morning.

Extraordinary series of mishaps

It was already an extremely long series of mishaps for RBS on Tuesday. The main artery of the RBS was unplanned for almost two days in a row. The deputy head of infrastructure, Markus Enzler, writes in a blog post on the RBS website: “This has never happened before!” At least not during his twenty years in office. “And we are doing everything we can to ensure that we don’t have to experience that again. Our passengers have the right to travel on time,” he writes.

But technical problems occurred again on Thursday. Likewise on Friday. “It was another signal box malfunction,” says Sander. Those responsible are working to find out what caused Friday’s disruption, she says. Shortly after 1 p.m., RBS wrote in a media release that the disruption on Friday was also related to the planned night work on the signal box last weekend.

Angry passengers

RBS apologized on Platform X and thanked travelers for their patience.

An To which the RBS replied: “Yes, this week is definitely not one of our greatest achievements. We would like to apologize for that.”

The signal box in Bern train station was built in 1965. This makes it the oldest signal box in the RBS route network. “This signal box is definitely outdated,” says Sander. However, it will be replaced with the construction of the new RBS station and brought up to date in 2029.

Single-track operation ends on Monday

After all, there is a certain level of relaxation in sight at RBS. Single-track operation between Bern and Felsenau ends on Monday. However, there will be a route interruption between Urtenen and Fraubrunnen between October 7th and 12th. Replacement buses are running.