PostBus Switzerland Ltd transported 129.3 million passengers (+ 4 percent) and covered 107 million kilometres (+ 2.9 percent) last year. These are record figures in the history of Switzerland’s largest bus company, which was set up in 1906. Last year’s greatest passenger increase was seen in Western Switzerland, where figures rose by 1 million, particularly as a result of additional passengers in Ajoie (Canton Jura) and Vaud. PostBus transported by far the most passengers, almost 29 million, in Northern Switzerland (see table).

814 routes in operation

PostBus operates 2,157 vehicles on 814 routes in Switzerland, which is two more than after the timetable change in 2011. PostBus successfully obtained four new contracts in Eastern Switzerland: Flums – Flumserberg Tannenbodenalp, Bad Ragaz – Vättis, Bad Ragaz – Valens, Pfäfers – St. Margrethenberg; but no longer runs the Rorschach – Altenrhein – Rheineck service. It now has an additional route in Graubünden (Brusio – Cavaione), but operates one less route in Northern Switzerland (Baden – Rekingen night-time network) and in Western Switzerland respectively (Montagny – Champvent).
 
PostBus undertakes a number of rail replacement services each year. The most significant replacement last year was the journey between Wil (Canton St Gallen) and Weinfelden (Canton Thurgau), where PostBus transported 2,600 passengers each day for six months together with Wil Mobil due to renovation work on the Thurbo regional railway line.

130,000 people surf on PostBus journeys

PostBus made further investments in new services to add to passenger convenience. It started equipping its vehicle fleet with free wireless Internet in April 2012. Work in Ticino and Western Switzerland over the next few weeks will complete the roll-out. Over 130,000 people have so far taken advantage of free Internet access during their PostBus journeys. 

Since May 2012, passengers have been able to consult the full passenger timetable using the PostBus App for Android and iPhone. In Eastern Switzerland and the Valais, the app already provides real-time information, enabling passengers to see when their postbus will be setting off, even if it is running late. By the end of 2014, the same real-time information should be available to passengers in all regions where it is technically feasible to implement the service.

Expansion of the hybrid fleet

PostBus is continuing to opt for environmentally-friendly drive systems. More than 20 hybrid PostBus vehicles with diesel-electric drive have taken to the streets of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The hybrid drive system helps to cut fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by up to 30 percent compared to conventional diesel engines. PostBus started operating three new vehicles with diesel engines that meet the Euro 6 emission standard in the Berne region in November, one of the first bus companies in Switzerland to do so. Each new vehicle saves up to 1,000 litres of diesel every year, which is the equivalent of CO₂ emissions from two passenger cars. PostBus also saves fuel by encouraging drivers to adopt an appropriate driving style. All 2,800 drivers take courses organised by Eco-Coaches to learn how to look after the environment and their buses, through the use of effective braking and accelerating techniques for instance.

Prize for pioneering service

In May 2012 PostBus became the first transport company in Switzerland to open a hydrogen filling station in Brugg. PostBus has been running five fuel cell postbuses in the region as part of its timetabled service since the end of 2011. The vehicles are fuelled with hydrogen and do not emit any CO₂. The project, which was developed in association with partners both in Switzerland and abroad, earned PostBus Switzerland Ltd the 2013 Watt d’Or energy prize awarded by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy for its commitment. PostBus was able to use its fuel cell postbuses at the Locarno Film Festival and the WEF in Davos thanks to a special mobile filling station.

68 new jobs

PostBus created 68 full-time positions in Switzerland in 2012. The average headcount increased by 2.7 percent to reach 3,471. 1,889 men and women are employed by PostBus Switzerland Ltd, 1,582 work as drivers for a PostBus company.

More networks in France

PostBus strengthened its position in France. Its subsidiary CarPostal France acquired the Groupe Rochette transport company in the Loire last year as well as renewing its contract for the Bourg-en-Bresse local transport network and signing a new contract for regional transport in the Dauphiné area. CarPostal France was established in 2004 and today operates six urban networks and four regional transport companies. With its 525 buses on over 100 routes, CarPostal France with its 760 employees achieved an annual performance of 20 million kilometres last year. PostBus has been established in the Principality of Liechtenstein since 2001 and is running with its 100 employees 39 buses on 14 routes.

Number of passengers (million)

Number of kilometres driven (million)