InterCity (Switzerland)

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Double-decker InterCity IC2000 of the SBB
ICN tilting train (SBB RABDe 500)

The InterCity (short form: IC , Logo:) InterCityin Switzerland is a type of train that is also used internationally . The first InterCitys came into use with the start of the regular timetable in 1982, where they replaced the previous comfort trains of the Swiss Express Geneva - St. Gallen .

features

Initially, the main differentiating feature compared to normal express trains was the air-conditioned wagons , although individual first-class wagons could only be used in 1982 (at least 1 wagon per IC), as the EW IV were still being delivered. In addition to the Swiss Express trains consisting of EW III, there were almost no other air-conditioned cars available. The only other larger air-conditioned wagon series operated by SBB, the Eurofima wagons , had to be used in international traffic due to the quality criteria for EuroCitys . With the ongoing delivery of the EW IV, the proportion of air-conditioned cars in the IC increased continuously. Later, the compulsory proportion of air-conditioned cars in an IC master composition (i.e. without reinforcement cars) was set to "at least 80%"; today the cars are air-conditioned throughout. Today, InterRegios ( InterRegio) also have to have air-conditioned cars “as a rule”.

In addition to the consistently air-conditioned cars, the 2016/2017 timetable also included a mandatory option in an IC. This consists of a dining car and a minibar / railbar circulating on the train . A family car (with a playground) or a family zone (without a playground) is also provided in 2nd class (usually in the control car ) and a quiet car in 1st class. As a rule, it is also possible to take bicycles with you.

Today all ICs also offer space for wheelchairs. However, the assistance of the staff is required when getting on and off. Pre-registration is therefore always required. The registration requirement also applies to trains made up of IC-2000 cars, although boarding there is also possible without assistance; because the number of wheelchair spaces on trains of this type is very small (only in the combined 1st class and baggage car ). Those affected can determine the type of train used for each InterCity in the list of train types in the timetable.

As in Austria , the InterCitys as well as the international EuroCitys and the ICE or InterCity tilting trains in Switzerland are free of surcharges. In addition, there are InterRegios in Switzerland, which usually stop more often and offer simpler equipment, in particular there is a lack of catering facilities and the rolling stock can be older or simpler ( NPZ Domino , Stadler Flirt , etc.). Occasionally, the InterCity / InterRegio train categories also changed on the route, or the InterCitys stop more frequently on individual route sections than lower train categories (e.g. Zurich - St. Gallen in 2002 ).

Since there are no special fares or surcharges for certain train categories in Switzerland, the distinction between InterCitys and InterRegios is less pronounced for travelers than in Germany, apart from comfort. The InterCitys as well as the EuroCitys are mainly used by commuters, so they are particularly busy during rush hour. For this reason, double-decker trains of the type IC2000 also run on some routes , which can only be hauled by type Re 460 locomotives, some of which can offer enormous passenger capacities of over 1,300 seats per train. InterCity tilting trains (ICN) - which formed a separate type of train until the end of 2017 and then operated as InterCity - are used on mostly curvy stretches ( Jura south foot line , Jura line ) , sometimes in double traction; Only in this way can Biel / Bienne, for example , be integrated into the clock node principle. Both train categories are designed for speeds of 200 km / h.

Route network

The InterCity route network connects most Swiss cities, as well as the two international airports in Zurich and Geneva .

On the most important routes - especially in the Basel / Bern / Zurich triangle and in the Geneva – Lausanne area - trains run at least every 30 minutes. In order to optimize the connections, the SBB are striving to connect these nodes ( connection spider ) with a journey time of less than an hour each. This regular service also includes international EuroCity trains or high-speed trains (TGV, ICE, Railjet); these take the place of the otherwise regularly used InterCity, and these are rarely given their own route.

The reduction in travel time through the commissioning of the new Mattstetten – Rothrist line (located between Bern and Olten) at the end of 2004 triggered an increase in passengers.

With the introduction of the 2018 SBB timetable, the InterCityNeigezug ( InterCityNeigezug) train type was abolished and integrated into the InterCity train type. In addition, the InterCitys and InterRegios were given line numbers. The numbering is based on the numbering in the national road network ( 1 analogous to A1, 2 analogous to A2, etc.). InterCity InterCity

Route network 1982

InterCity network of the SBB
(summer 1982)

The Swiss InterCity lines with at least a two-hour cycle after the introduction of the integral cycle timetable in 1982, any exceptions, additional stops or additional trains or extensions as well as other trains integrated in the cycle (TEE, TGV) are not specially marked:

  • InterCityGenève – Lausanne – Friborg – Bern – Zurich HB – Zurich Airport – Winterthur – Wil – Gossau – St. Gallen (every hour)
  • InterCityBrig – Goppenstein – Kandersteg – Frutigen – Spiez – Thun – Bern – Olten – Basel (every 2 hours)
  • InterCityBasel SBB – Olten – Lucerne – Arth Goldau (every 2 hours)
  • InterCityZurich – Zug – Arth Goldau – Bellinzona – Lugano – Chiasso – Milano Centrale (every 2 hours)
  • InterCityBasel SBB – Zurich HB – Ziegelbrücke – Sargans – Landquart – Chur (every 2 hours)
    between Basel and Sargans every hour with the following IC:
  • InterCityBasel SBB – Zurich HB – Ziegelbrücke – Sargans – Buchs SG – Feldkirch (–Wien) (every 2 hours)

Route network 2002

InterCity network of the SBB
(2002/03)

The Swiss InterCity lines with at least a two-hour cycle according to the 2002 timetable, any exceptions, additional stops or additional trains or extensions during rush hour or in off-peak hours as well as EuroCitys, TGVs and ICEs integrated in the cycle are not specially marked:

  • InterCityGenève-Aéroport – Genève – Lausanne – Friborg – Bern – Zurich HB – Zurich Airport – Winterthur – Wil – Uzwil – Flawil – Gossau – St. Gallen (every hour)
  • InterCity(Brig – Visp – Goppenstein – Kandersteg – Frutigen– , alternating with Interlaken Ost – Interlaken West–) Spiez – Thun – Bern – Zurich HB – Zurich Airport – Winterthur – Frauenfeld – Weinfelden – Amriswil – Romanshorn (every hour)
    between Brig and Interlaken and Spiez, together with the IC below, the hourly cycle is given: Since 2007 via Löschberg base tunnel Brig-Visp-Spiez- ..
  • InterCity(Brig – Visp – Goppenstein – Kandersteg – Frutigen– , alternating with Interlaken Ost – Interlaken West–) Spiez – Thun – Bern – Olten – Basel SBB (every hour)
  • InterCity(Basel SBB – Olten – Luzern– , alternating with Zurich HB – Zug–) Arth Goldau – Bellinzona – Lugano – Chiasso – Milano Centrale (hourly)
  • InterCity Basel SBB – Zurich HB
  • InterCityZurich HB – Bülach – Schaffhausen (–Singen) (to Schaffhausen every hour, then every 2 hours)

The ICN lines via Biel, which have been run as an independent train type since 1999 with the tilting trains RABDe 500 up to and with the 2016/17 timetable , are not listed .

Route network 2017 to 2024

InterCity network of the SBB
(2016 / 17–2020 / 21)

The Swiss InterCity lines from 2016/17 to 2023/24 (2020/21 according to the 2020 draft timetable, 2021/22 to 2023/24 according to the 2019 planning status), any exceptions or additional trains or extensions during rush hour or in the off-peak hours as well as EuroCitys integrated in regular intervals , TGVs and ICEs are not specially marked.

In contrast to the InterRegion network, the IC network remains essentially the same between 2016/17 and 2023/24 - as of 2020 - there were or are only minor adjustments during these timetable periods (such as the exchange of driving positions IC 1 and IC 5 between Zurich and St. Gallen on 2020/21, commissioning of the Monte Ceneri tunnel etc.). Not until 2024/25, cf. next section, there will be adjustments.

Route network 2025

IC network according to the STEP 2035 concept, as of January 2019

Lines in the planned network plan 2025, according to the network usage plan as of August 2019, although it is undefined what ultimately runs as InterRegio, InterCity or EuroCity. Trains that do not run at least every hour are not listed:

  • Annemasse – Lausanne (–St-Maurice)
  • Genève-Aéroport – Biel / Bienne– Railway 2000 route –Zürich – Rorschach
  • Genève-Aéroport – Bern – Zurich – St. Gallen – Chur
  • Genève-Aéroport-Bern-Lucerne
  • Genève-Aéroport-Brig
  • Lausanne – Biel / Bienne – Basel SBB
  • Le Locle – Neuchâtel
  • La Chaux-de-Fonds – Neuchâtel – Bern
  • Biel / Bienne – Bern
  • Biel / Bienne – Oensingen – Zurich main station
  • Bern - Railway 2000 line - Baden - Zurich
  • Bern – Burgdorf– Heitersberg route –Zurich
  • Bern – Burgdorf – Olten
  • Basel SBB – Bern (–Interlaken Ost / Brig)
  • Basel SBB – Bern
  • Basel SBB – Luzern (–Locarno / Lugano)
  • Basel SBB– Heitersberg route –Zürich HB – Chur
  • Basel SBB – Baden – Zurich (–Zurich Airport)
  • Lucerne – Zurich HB (–St. Gallen – Sargans)
  • Zurich HB – Schaffhausen (–Stuttgart)
  • Zurich HB – Aarau
  • Zurich HB – Arth Goldau (–Locarno / Lugano (–Milano))
  • Zurich HB – Constance
  • Romanshorn – Zurich HB – Bern – Interlaken Ost / Brig

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Characterization of trains. (PDF; 119 kB) Official Swiss Course Book 2016/2017. Federal Office of Transport, accessed on July 4, 2017 .
  2. ↑ a b list of train types. (PDF) Official Swiss Course Guide 2016/2017. Federal Office of Transport, accessed on July 4, 2017 .
  3. ↑ Changes to long-distance and regional transport / Changements Trafic Grandes Lignes et Trafic régional from / dès 10.12.2017. (PDF) (No longer available online.) Swiss Federal Railways SBB; Passenger Traffic Division, May 2017, p. 3 , archived from the original on August 3, 2017 ; Retrieved July 5, 2017 .
  4. ↑ Editor: The 2018 timetable is online: Long-distance traffic now with line numbering | Bahnonline.ch. Retrieved on October 25, 2017 (German).
  5. ↑ Network graphic 1982. (PDF) SMA und Partner AG, accessed on July 4, 2017 .
  6. ↑ Network graphic 2002. (PDF) SMA and Partner AG, accessed on July 4, 2017 .
  7. ↑ Line network map 2018. (PDF) SBB AG, accessed on October 25, 2017 .
  8. ↑ BAV: Network usage concept and plans