Train Zurich – Chur: Passengers have to leave the overcrowded train
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Zurich-ChurPassengers have to leave the overcrowded train – is there any compensation?
Because the train from Zurich to Chur was full, some of the passengers had to leave it before departure. However, SBB cannot force paying passengers to get off.
That’s what it’s about
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On December 25, the train from Zurich to Chur did not leave on time because it was overcrowded.
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Some passengers had to disembark.
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In such cases, SBB customer attendants could hand out vouchers.
Jost F. wanted to take the train to Chur with his family on Christmas Day. He buys a supersaver ticket an hour and a half before departure. While other passengers are standing, the family found free seats on the train. Again “Tagesanzeiger» reported, however, the train manager suddenly found out via loudspeaker announcement that there were too many people on the train and that some passengers had to get off.
After repeated announcements and after the train did not leave the main station at 1.38 p.m. as planned, some passengers agreed to leave the train – including Jost F. and his family. However, unlike aircraft overbooking, it does not require compensation.
Evacuation must be possible
According to SBB spokesman Jürg Grob, Swiss trains have a maximum occupancy rate of around 160 percent. A maximum of 60 percent more people are allowed to ride than there are seats. The train manager does not carry out an exact count, but estimates the situation on site. “The top priority is always safety, in an emergency an evacuation must be possible,” says Grob.
If the aisles are completely blocked with travelers and luggage, this is difficult. In such cases, to ensure safety, the train manager may ask passengers to exit the train. “But this is very rare,” said the SBB spokesman. On December 25, the customer attendant on the train in question was no longer able to board the train himself.
20 franc shopping voucher
However, the SBB customer attendant cannot force anyone to disembark because there is a transport obligation in Switzerland. If you have a valid ticket, you can also take a ride. However, train bosses may advise that if the train remains overcrowded, it will not depart.
While customer attendants could hand out vouchers at their own discretion in such cases, there is always compensation for voluntarily getting off the Gotthard line – namely a Coop shopping voucher worth 20 francs. This is because the SBB, due to the fire protection regulations in the Gotthard base tunnel, provides for a maximum capacity utilization of 140 percent, which means that passengers are asked to get off the train.
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