A new report has suggested the Switzerland’s railroads should bring back third-class carriages as a way to compete against cheap bus fares and Uber, Swiss trains did away with third class in 1956.
The report, commissioned by the Federal Transport Office suggested the third-class cars could use five-across seating, as opposed to four in second class, and might have less footroom and amenities, reviving for some memories of Honoré Daumier’s 1862 painting of a crowded French third-class carriage.
However, there was quick pushback against the proposal. The public transport workers’ union agreed that the needs of people with small budgets should be considered but said that the proposal would not mean savings for passengers and would make the system too complicated.
Rail operator SBB says that it’s not considering third-class travel at this point, but is focusing on meeting that market with supersaver tickets and discount off-peak fares.
