Switzerland fails to meet 2023 deadline for accessible public transport

Switzerland Still Far from Meeting Legal Deadline for Accessible Public Transport

In theory, people who use wheelchairs or live with visual impairments should be able to navigate public transport without barriers. Under the Disability Equality Act, all stops were supposed to be fully accessible by the end of 2023. But the numbers tell a different story: that goal remains unmet.

Nationwide, only about two-thirds of train stations and roughly the same proportion of bus and tram stops are currently barrier-free. The organization Pro Infirmis criticizes Switzerland for falling far short of its legal obligations. "The situation is inadequate," says Camilla Bischofberger.

Train Stations Fare Better

Responsibility for train stations typically lies with rail operators such as SBB, BLS, or RhB. Andreas Keller of the Public Transport Association explains that upgrades have followed a strategic approach: "Rail companies started with high-traffic hubs—major stations where large numbers of passengers travel." As a result, over 80 percent of Swiss public transport users now have access to barrier-free travel.

Keller acknowledges the criticism: "It's regrettable we haven't made more progress." However, he notes that the law also requires measures to be proportionate. Where full accessibility upgrades are not feasible, alternative solutions—such as shuttle services to the nearest accessible stop—are provided.

Roadside Stops Lag Behind, with Upgrades Taking Up to 15 Years

The situation is more challenging for bus and tram stops, where responsibility does not lie with transport operators but with road owners—usually municipalities, cities, or cantons. In the canton of Zurich, for example, stops are only modified when a road is already scheduled for renovation, explains Thomas Maag of the Cantonal Construction Department.

"Investing half a million francs in a remote hamlet or a rural stop used by just three people a day isn't proportionate," Maag says.

Upgrades take time. "We've accelerated the process, but in road construction, accelerated is a misleading term," he admits. From planning to completion, such projects can take anywhere from five to 15 years.

Not Every Stop Will Be Upgraded

Delays also stem from legal objections and the principle of proportionality: "In a small village or a stop in the middle of nowhere, spending half a million to serve three daily passengers isn't justified," Maag explains. Priority is given to high-traffic stops or those near care homes.

In Zurich, roughly half of all bus stops have been made accessible. About 360 remain unchanged, though 300 of those are in the planning stages. The rest have no upgrade plans due to low usage.

Accessibility Must Become a Priority

Pro Infirmis rejects this reasoning. "People with disabilities don't live only in cities," Bischofberger argues. "The need for independence is the same everywhere."

She warns against prioritizing high-traffic locations at the expense of others: "You can't weigh people's right to autonomy against each other."

Ultimately, accessibility affects everyone—sooner or later.

For the organization, the message is clear: municipalities and cantons must make upgrading stops a priority. As Bischofberger points out, barrier-free transport benefits not just people with disabilities but also older adults and parents with strollers. "No one loses when public transport is free of obstacles."