SBB doubles first-half profit to 126 million francs

SBB, the railway company, more than doubled its profit in the first half of 2026 to 126 million Swiss francs, SRF reported. Average daily passenger numbers rose to 1.45 million, while trains recorded a punctuality rate of 94.1 percent.

Profit increased from 48 million francs in the same period last year. Passenger demand rose by 4 percent, and customer satisfaction edged up to 80.1 points from 79.9.

SBB attributed the improvement in customer satisfaction to more stable operations, better information during disruptions and additional seats on heavily used services.

Punctuality was 0.4 percentage points lower than in the first half of 2025. SBB said reliable infrastructure and rolling stock, as well as construction planning, supported punctual services. Technical faults, weather conditions and delays in cross-border traffic had a negative effect.

SBB says higher profits are still needed

The stronger result was driven by higher demand in passenger transport, a positive result from its property business and improved performance in freight transport. Freight transport increased its result by 49 million francs to 2 million francs, achieving a balanced result for the first time in many years.

Despite the higher half-year profit, SBB said its financial situation remained challenging. The company needs to generate about 500 million francs in profit each year in the medium term to renew its large vehicle fleets and expand services. It said the figure would have to be higher in the long term to stabilise its debt.

In expanding the railway, maintaining existing infrastructure should take priority, SBB said. At the same time, expansion is needed to meet rising demand and prevent future bottlenecks.

Freight transport restructuring continues

SBB is continuing to reorganise its freight operations. A trial service for a combined-transport shuttle on the north-south route began at the start of 2026. From December, a new operating model is intended to make national single-wagon-load traffic more cost-effective.

The changes are designed to bring SBB closer to the federal government’s goal of making freight transport financially self-sustaining by 2033.

SBB Cargo AG will also be reintegrated into SBB AG on January 1, 2027. Employees will transfer to SBB AG on June 1, 2027, with their employment conditions remaining unchanged.

Demand for international rail travel also increased. A total of 6.02 million people travelled internationally by train in the first half of the year, 1.3 percent more than in the same period of 2025. SBB said it would continue expanding its services with partner railways.