Passenger information

Accessible travel

It is important to BLS that everyone can use public transport independently and spontaneously. In particular, this includes people with disabilities being able to board and alight from trains independently and access all information at the train station and when on board trains.

To make this possible, BLS is adapting its train stations and all trains and buses to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (BehiG). The Disability Discrimination Act brings improvements that benefit all passengers. For example, older people or travellers with a lot of luggage can also get around better on public transport.

BLS offers alternative solutions at all train stations that are not accessible. BLS will organise assistance from staff on site or a shuttle service that will take passengers to the nearest accessible train station. On-site staff assistance (1 hour in advance) and the shuttle service (2 hours in advance) can be ordered from the SBB Contact Centre Handicap:

SBB Contact Center Handicap
0800 007 102 Gratistelefonnummer Freephone number, daily from 5.00 a.m. to midnight

In the online timetable, passengers can find information about whether they can travel independently for a particular journey or whether they need to contact the SBB Contact Centre Handicap.

SBB online timetable

Accessible train stations

BLS has converted 85 of its 115 train stations in accordance with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (as at the end of 2023). This includes, for example, ensuring that platforms allow passengers to board trains at ground level, that ticket machines and emergency call points can be operated from a wheelchair, and that all information for travellers is provided both visually and acoustically.

In spite of the structural measures taken, some train stations are not completely accessible, because, for example they are situated on a bend and the distance between the train and platform is too great in certain places. Therefore, at the affected train stations, BLS is organising staff assistance.

BLS is resolutely pressing ahead with the realisation of accessible public transport. Of the 30 inadequate train stations, 23 will be made accessible within roughly the next ten years. BLS will not be converting seven of the train stations because the costs would be disproportionately high.

Accessible trains, buses and boats

Trains

All BLS trains fulfil the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (BehiG):

Ground-level entry and exit
Door handles with tactile identification
All information relevant to travel is available both visually and acoustically
Wheelchair-accessible toilets

Buses

The entire BLS bus fleet fulfils the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act:

Low-floor entrances with lowering mechanism
Fold-out ramp for boarding and alighting with a wheelchair

Boats

Apart from the smallest boat, the MS Interlaken, all BLS boats on Lake Thun and Lake Brienz are wheelchair-accessible on the main deck and have a disabled toilet. On the MS Berner Oberland and the MS Thun (both on Lake Thun), the 1st class section is also accessible via a lift. Where accessibility requirements are not met, the ship's staff will assist passengers.

Accessible ticket machines

The screen and controls of BLS ticket machines are positioned so that they can also be operated by passengers in wheelchairs. For visually impaired passengers, the screens have a four-quadrant mode that enables user guidance with enlarged buttons.

4-Quadranten-Modus

Travel concessions

Accompanying person's card

If you are dependent on an accompanying person when travelling by public transport, you can obtain an ID card for disabled travellers (Companion Travelcard) free of charge. With the Companion Travelcard, one accompanying person and/or one assistance or guide dog travels free of charge.

Reduced-price travelcard

Travellers with a disability and disability insurance (IV) pensioners can buy a 1st- or 2nd-class travelcard at a reduced price. This benefit is available to individuals:

who receive a disability insurance (IV) pension
who receive attendance allowance (Hilflosenentschädigung)
who receive benefits for a guide dog for the blind or an assistance dog
who are permanently dependent on a wheelchair (with medical certificate)

Reduced rates for guide dogs for the blind and assistance dogs

Guide dogs for the blind or assistance dogs in service travel free of charge in 1st and 2nd class. This benefit is available to individuals:

who have a valid ticket
who have an ID card for a guide dog for the blind or assistance dog
whose guide dog or assistance dog wears a harness and is labelled with a tag on its collar