Swiss Federal Railways, previously ranked second-best in Europe, now holds 11th place after corrections. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Swiss Federal Railways
Swiss train travel: scenic, punctual, and expensive. Keystone / Laurent Gillieron

Swiss Federal Railways Faces Revised Ranking After Ticket Price Error

Swiss Federal Railways saw a sharp decline in rankings after a pricing miscalculation surfaced. Transport et Environment (T&E), an NGO, admitted to errors in calculating fare costs.

Evaluators mistakenly used half-fare ticket prices instead of full-fare rates in their assessment. This oversight significantly impacted scores since fares represent 25% of the ranking criteria.

Swiss Federal Railways Still Leads in Service Quality Despite Drop

Despite falling in rankings, Swiss Federal Railways maintains strong performance in reliability and services. Analysts highlight punctuality, ease of booking, and bike-friendly options as standout features.

Victor Thévenet, the study’s author, emphasized Switzerland’s half-fare card benefits. Frequent travelers reduce costs with this option, even as base prices remain higher than competitors.

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Swiss Federal Railways’ affordability score placed it alongside Britain’s GWR and Eurostar in the lower tier. Both operators face similar challenges balancing service quality with ticket pricing concerns.

Experts now call for greater transparency in reporting fare structures to ensure fair evaluations. They argue future rankings should focus on standard pricing instead of promotional discounts.

Transport et Environment defended the overall study’s credibility despite acknowledging calculation errors. The NGO urges European operators to prioritize affordability without compromising service quality.

Swiss Federal Railways has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the updated results. RTS reports the company’s lack of comments stems from holiday office closures and reduced availability.

Market observers expect Swiss Federal Railways to reassess pricing models and address affordability concerns. Analysts believe increased clarity on fares could boost customer confidence and improve rankings.

While affordability poses challenges, Swiss Federal Railways remains a leader in punctuality and reliability. Advocates stress the importance of balancing affordability with service quality to retain trust.

Railway experts recommend refining evaluation systems for future rankings to capture pricing accuracy. Updated methodologies may better reflect variations in fare structures across European rail operators.

Swiss Federal Railways continues to attract praise for operational efficiency despite falling rankings. Industry leaders view this setback as an opportunity to enhance transparency and affordability moving forward.

Source: www.swissinfo.ch

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