SBB service and payment model changes

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) is undergoing shifts in its service delivery and payment models. Initially, the company faced public backlash after testing cashless operations at approximately 100 ticket machines in stations such as Baden, Brugg, and Olten. SBB cited increased vandalism and break-ins as the reason for temporarily deactivating cash functions. This move prompted a popular initiative with over 15,000 signatures to preserve cash options, with critics labeling the reduction in cash accessibility as discriminatory.

Following these developments, SBB announced the closure of its travel center in Frick, effective January 1, 2027. The decision is attributed to a decline in demand for in-person services, as 97 percent of tickets are now purchased via self-service, with the vast majority through digital channels. While in-person sales have dropped from nearly 10 percent in 2019 to 3 percent, SBB stated that affected employees will be reassigned to other centers to avoid job losses.

Expanding its reduction of physical service points, SBB has also decided to close the staffed travel center at the Stein am Rhein station. Customers requiring in-person assistance will be redirected to Schaffhausen or Winterthur. Although the local mayor and the cantonal tourism organization expressed regret regarding the closure of this center in a significant tourist hotspot, they acknowledged the decision is understandable due to declining usage.