Train-control centres in Switzerland.

Every day, rail traffic experts control 9,400 passenger trains and 1,600 freight trains on the SBB network. They make sure that the timetable can be followed safely and punctually round the clock and that customers are informed in good time.

Here’s how the rail network functions.

Traffic control, passenger information and technical operations are largely concentrated in four train-control centres (TCC): Renens (TCC West), Olten (TCC Central), Zurich Airport (TCC East) and Pollegio (TCC South). Technical guidance for these locations is provided by the Swiss Rail Traffic Control Centre (TCC) in Bern.

Through this degree of concentration, SBB is creating the conditions it needs in order to cope operationally with the forecast increase in traffic. This centralisation was made possible by modern control systems, which allow rail traffic to be planned and controlled from just a few centres. Have a look behind the scenes.

Interested in learning more about our train-control centres?

  1. TCC Central (Olten).

    Rail traffic in the Central Switzerland region is controlled from Olten. Sign up for a guided tour of train-control centre Central.

  2. TCC West (Renens).

    Today, around half of the rail traffic in the Western Switzerland region is controlled from Lausanne. Sign up for a guided tour of train-control centre West.

  3. TCC East (Zurich Airport).

    Rail traffic in the Eastern Switzerland region, including the core network of the Zurich S-Bahn, is controlled from Zurich Airport. For reasons of security, guided tours are not possible.

  4. TCC South (Pollegio).

    Rail traffic in the Southern Switzerland region is controlled from Pollegio. Sign up for a guided tour of train-control centre South.