Whether as a mobility services provider, employer, property owner and real estate manager or a company that helps shape our national landscape, as the leading public transport company in Switzerland, SBB makes a significant contribution to the Swiss economy and society.
The outstanding quality of Switzerland's rail infrastructure and rail services in comparison with other countries has earned Switzerland its reputation as the "most competitive country" in the world. As a modern railway operator that offers efficient, forward-thinking and sustainable mobility services, SBB forms an important part of Switzerland as a tourist destination and, as an employer, it is a major pillar of the Swiss economy. This is one reason why Switzerland has such an innovative and export-oriented public transport sector. Every Swiss franc it generates is reinvested in the rail system. The SBB dividend is a contribution to Switzerland's competitiveness and the quality of life it offers.
Thanks to its reliable connections, SBB guarantees that goods and people are in the right place at the right time, laying the foundations for a modern economy based on the division of labour.
SBB expands labour markets for both employees and employers. This increases the chance of employing workers based on their qualifications and in the most productive way possible from an economic point of view.
The rail freight network forms the logistical backbone of the Swiss economy, particularly for the agricultural sector, the metalworking, timber and chemical industries, and wholesalers.
As one of the biggest and most attractive employers in Switzerland, SBB helps to create a diverse job market.
The public transport sector trains specialists at all levels, making it an important pillar in Switzerland's educational landscape.
SBB guarantees good accessibility, and therefore plays a key role in helping Switzerland's regions to develop.
The railway encourages the development of agglomerations, which in turn leads to increased prosperity.
SBB enhances the appeal of Swiss municipalities – from urban centres to rural communities.
Public transport saves space in comparison with personal motorised transportation and allows the development of densly populated urban areas.
The rail freight network also guarantees connections to peripheral regions of Switzerland.
Public transport plays a major role in helping Switzerland to achieve its environmental, climate and energy goals (CO2, energy, noise).
The rail freight network reduces the amount of traffic on the roads.
In terms of transit, domestic, import and export traffic, the rail freight network makes an important contribution with regard to transferring freight traffic from the roads to the rails, thus helping to protect the environment and its resources.
Overall, roads cost around six times as much as rails.
The railway is a safe and environmentally friendly way to transport hazardous materials.
The railway actively contributes to preserving biodiversity in Switzerland.
Public transport reduces the number of traffic accidents.
Railway stations in Swiss cities function as meeting points and shopping centres.
The multilingual presence of SBB has an integrating effect on multilingual Switzerland and its regions.
