DON’T MISS
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Swiss news & articles
SBB converts train into taxi service to help delayed passengers get home
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

SBB converts train into taxi service to help delayed passengers get home

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

April 2025 in Switzerland: 10 major changes expats need to know aboutApril 2025 in Switzerland: 10 major changes expats need to know about
SBB commits to direct train between Switzerland and LondonSBB commits to direct train between Switzerland and London
Zurich and Geneva to be given direct trains to London under new plansZurich and Geneva to be given direct trains to London under new plans
Geneva unveils plans to build brand new metro systemGeneva unveils plans to build brand new metro system
Geneva swimming spots to be connected by new Beach Line bus serviceGeneva swimming spots to be connected by new Beach Line bus service
Uber launches two new ride services in 4 Swiss citiesUber launches two new ride services in 4 Swiss cities
Geneva main station to close for 20 hours from November 23Geneva main station to close for 20 hours from November 23
SBB announces billion-franc expansion of Geneva railway stationSBB announces billion-franc expansion of Geneva railway station
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Feb 28, 2023
Jan de Boer

Editor at IamExpat Media

Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most of his life in Zurich and has worked as a journalist, writer and editor since 2016. While he has plunged head-first back into life in Switzerland since returning to the country in 2020, he still enjoys a taste of home at pub quizzes and karaoke nights.Read more

From Swiss cows on trains to the most delayed service in the country not actually being from Switzerland, it is safe to say that the public transport network has attracted some quirky headlines over the last few months. Now, travellers getting off a heavily delayed train in Geneva were relieved after Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) put on a special service in the middle of the night that would take them to their destinations. The media is calling it Switzerland’s first rail taxi service.

French train arrives three and a quarter hours late in Geneva

According to Blick, our story starts on the evening of February 26 on a hugely delayed French train between Lyon and Geneva. The TER service was over three and a quarter hours late when it arrived at Geneva Cornavin at 1.40am, according to local train driver Sébastien.

“You can imagine the joy that could be read on their faces,” he joked, explaining to Blick that the last connecting service had left long after they arrived. In all, around 80 people were left stranded at the station. For people who lived in Geneva, a number of taxis were deployed, while one person from Bern was put up in a hotel. However, for those that lived in Vaud and along Lake Geneva, Sébastien and SBB took matters into their own hands.

SBB decides to offer a night rail taxi service to help passengers

Now working overtime, and with the approval of SBB, Sébastien and a colleague decided to operate a “night taxi service” using one of the trains parked in Geneva. "After joking with the travellers stranded on the platform, I got them on the train and took the controls: everyone was able to tell me the nearest station to them so that he or she could be picked up by his family or [given] a taxi home," he told the newspaper.

With all the stations noted, and with the "à la carte route" now approved by the authorities, the train was able to depart Geneva in the middle of the night and take all the passengers back home. “After spending hours in a struggling SCNF train, they were happy,” he added. “It was not my role that I wanted to highlight. This is the system: special convoys can be organised any way you want, with goodwill.”

We do not leave passengers stranded, says Swiss railway spokesperson

In response, those on the internet - especially French users - questioned why SBB was setting up a special rail service to connect with a delayed French train. In response, SBB spokesperson Frédéric Revaz told Blick that "even if the delayed train is operated by another company, we do not leave customers stranded and [we instead] route them to their destination.”

Image: Shutterstock.com / olrat

By Jan de Boer