Public transport staff in Switzerland face rising aggression

Public transport employees and passengers in Switzerland are reporting an increase in verbal abuse, threats, and physical violence. In 2025, 718 reports of violence or threats against officials in public transport were registered, marking a significant rise in offenses against officials reported to the Federal Prosecutor's Office.

Staff members, including conductors, report facing daily insults and physical aggression. Despite the rise in incidents, many cases go unreported. Transport companies such as SBB, Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ), and Rhätische Bahn note that employees often hesitate to report incidents due to the bureaucratic burden, the length of legal proceedings, or fear of retaliation.

The transport union SEV has noted that aggressive passenger behavior has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. At SBB alone, it is estimated that approximately ten attacks against staff occur daily.