Swiss rail prices to rise by 2.9% at end of year

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Regular Swiss train travellers are being offered a larger number of deals, in part to offset the expected 2.9 percent increase in rail prices at the end of 2014, but also to reduce the number of travelers during peak travel times. The system is saturated on several runs, particularly Intercity trains during rush hour.

To start, the CFF/SBB rail company said Friday it is doubling the number of its Supersaver tickets from 50,000 to 100,000 a day, effective immediately. The system for buying them is also being simplified, says the CFF. The tickets are available for off-peak travel times and the further in advance your purchase, the lower the price, although tickets are generally available only two weeks in advance.

Supersaver tickets are available to people who don’t have half-price cards or other reductions, but they also work for travelers who have CFF reductions. For the CFF the point is to try to get new clients who will help defray costs by making use of the rail system as efficient as possible.

The company plans to develop its special offers, such as commune day travel passes that are valid countrywide and reduced family passes on certain dates.