Higher operating costs have been balanced by growing passenger numbers and freight volumes for Switzerland’s national rail carrier, SBB.
Announcing its half-year results, SBB said passenger numbers had increased by 3 per cent on 2013’s figures to just over 1 million, leading to a higher operating income of CHF 4.2 billion.
Consolidated net income fell, however, by 43 per cent to CHF 57 million due to rising maintenance expenses and higher depreciation and amortisation. A rise in operating expenses was attributed to higher depreciation of rolling stock and increasing infrastructure and staffing costs.
Rail freight recorded some of the most promising results, with volumes increasing by 27 per cent in the first half of this year.
Despite the mixed performance so far in 2014, SBB said it was positive about the outlook for the full year. As well as a seasonal upturn in passenger traffic, SBB said it plans to improve services in western Switzerland. The operator will also open a new station in Lausanne and break ground on the Léman 2030 project in the second half of 2014.
