Rhätische Bahn Makes Plans to Handle Significant Traffic Growth

Why It Matters

The upgrades protect RhB’s revenue trajectory, elevate the tourist experience, and provide a template for mountain railways managing surging demand within tight fiscal limits.

Key Takeaways

• 71% passenger‑km growth since 2016.
• Bernina Express carried 416,220 passengers first 10 months 2025.
• Load factors exceed 100% on weekends.
• New two‑car EMUs to replace aging Allegra fleet.
• Half‑hourly service and 30‑minute faster journeys planned.

Pulse Analysis

Switzerland’s scenic rail sector is witnessing a tourism‑driven renaissance, and Rhätische Bahn (RhB) sits at its forefront. The Bernina line, famed for its alpine vistas, has experienced a 71% rise in passenger‑kilometres since 2016, outpacing national growth threefold. This surge reflects broader post‑pandemic travel trends, where high‑spending leisure travelers gravitate toward experiential journeys. However, chronic over‑capacity—evident in weekend load factors surpassing 100%—has strained reservation systems and staff, prompting mandatory seat bookings for the Bernina Express and optional reservations on regional services.

To translate demand into sustainable service, RhB is overhauling its rolling stock. The aging three‑car ABe 8/12 Allegra EMUs, in operation since 2009, will be supplemented by new two‑car dual‑voltage units capable of coupling both automatically and conventionally. This modular design enables operators to run paired half‑units or insert additional coaches, matching capacity to fluctuating tourist peaks without excessive fleet size. Interior upgrades—extra luggage racks, modern upholstery, and power outlets at every seat—address contemporary passenger expectations, while refurbished observation coaches preserve the line’s heritage appeal. Such investments balance technological renewal with the preservation of the line’s iconic panoramic experience.

Beyond equipment, RhB’s timetable overhaul promises half‑hourly departures and journey‑time reductions of up to 30 minutes, enhancing connectivity between St Moritz, Poschiavo, Tirano and onward links to Milan. The 2040 strategic roadmap, co‑crafted with federal and cantonal authorities, aims to align service expansion with fiscal prudence, ensuring the line remains financially viable while supporting regional tourism economies. RhB’s approach illustrates how heritage railways can modernize operations, meet soaring demand, and set industry standards for resilient, customer‑centric mountain transport.