The Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), which used to be the second best railway company in Europe, has seen its rankings drop sharply following recent revisions. The non-governmental organisation Transport et Environment (T&E) has admitted to calculation errors regarding the company’s ticket prices, which has led to a revision of SBB’s position in the rankings.
Pricing Errors and Ranking Drops
The assessments by T&E revealed a serious error in the calculation of ticket prices. The assessors had mistakenly used half-fare ticket prices instead of full fares. This error had a significant impact on SBB's scores, as fares represented 25% of the ranking criteria. This led to the Swiss Federal Railways falling in the rankings, dropping from 2nd place to 11th place.
Leadership in Service Quality Continues
Despite the drop in rankings, SBB still has a strong service quality. Analysts highlight the company’s highlights, such as punctuality, ease of booking and bike-friendly options. Victor Thévenet noted the benefits of the Swiss half-fare card, which allows frequent travellers to significantly reduce costs. This is an advantage for some users, despite the fact that prices are higher than competitors.
Calls for Affordability and Transparency
Despite acknowledging the calculation error, T&E continued to defend the overall study’s reliability. However, it called for greater transparency to ensure the rankings are fair. T&E said Europe’s rail operators must prioritise affordability without compromising service quality. Analysts argue that future rankings should be based on standard pricing rather than promotional discounts.
Similar Challenges with Britain
The Swiss Federal Railways’ affordability score puts it on par with Britain’s GWR and Eurostar, operators that face similar challenges in balancing service quality with ticket pricing. All three have been criticised for high prices and limited pricing transparency.
Suggestions for the Future
Market watchers expect the Swiss Federal Railways to review its pricing models and make improvements in transparency. Analysts believe that greater clarity in fares could lead to improved rankings by boosting customer confidence. Rail experts say that evaluation systems need to be better shaped for future rankings.
The Importance of Service Quality
Despite pricing errors, the Swiss Federal Railways continues to be a leader in service quality. Experts emphasize the importance of balancing affordability and service quality. This balance can have a positive impact on the rankings by increasing customer satisfaction. SBB’s drop in rankings can be seen as an opportunity to increase pricing accuracy and transparency in the rail sector.
