Swiss Federal Railways: Difference between revisions
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The Swiss Federal Railways is officially a private company or AG (Aktiengesellshaft - stock company) which is wholly owned by the Swiss Federal Government and the Swiss Cantons (equivalent of a state). The infrastructure of the railroad is treated similarly to that of a federal highway, being subsidized by the government for regular maintenance and capital investment. Swiss federal law dictates that the infrastructure (rather the rails) of the entire Federal Railway system must be available to outside parties equitable prices; hence, the Infrastructure division of the Federal Railways recieved "tolls" from all companies that operate on their rails, including their own. |
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Local commuter rail services are "ordered" individually by each canton as a distinct service; this principle of ordering allow the SBB CFF FFS to offset operational losses in this sector of the marker. Intercity rail is not directly subsidized since it is profitable. |
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The Federal Railways is the major supplier of freight rail services. This section of the company has been split off to become a semi-autonimous branch called SBB Cargo. |
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The Swiss Federal Railways are known by its acronyms in the three principal languages of [[Switzerland]]: |
The Swiss Federal Railways are known by its acronyms in the three principal languages of [[Switzerland]]: |
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*'''CFF - Chemins de Fer Fédéraux Suisses''' (French) |
*'''CFF - Chemins de Fer Fédéraux Suisses''' (French) |
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*'''FFS - Ferrovie Federali Svizzere''' (Italian) |
*'''FFS - Ferrovie Federali Svizzere''' (Italian) |
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== External link == |
== External link == |
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Revision as of 02:27, 11 October 2003
The Swiss Federal Railways is officially a private company or AG (Aktiengesellshaft - stock company) which is wholly owned by the Swiss Federal Government and the Swiss Cantons (equivalent of a state). The infrastructure of the railroad is treated similarly to that of a federal highway, being subsidized by the government for regular maintenance and capital investment. Swiss federal law dictates that the infrastructure (rather the rails) of the entire Federal Railway system must be available to outside parties equitable prices; hence, the Infrastructure division of the Federal Railways recieved "tolls" from all companies that operate on their rails, including their own.
Local commuter rail services are "ordered" individually by each canton as a distinct service; this principle of ordering allow the SBB CFF FFS to offset operational losses in this sector of the marker. Intercity rail is not directly subsidized since it is profitable.
The Federal Railways is the major supplier of freight rail services. This section of the company has been split off to become a semi-autonimous branch called SBB Cargo.
The Federal Railways operate 3069km of standard gauge track, 2928km of which is electrified at 15kV 16.2/3Hz, and 74km of narrow gauge(1000mm) track (between Luzern and Interlaken) also electrified at 15kV 16.2/3Hz.
The Swiss Federal Railways are known by its acronyms in the three principal languages of Switzerland:
- SBB - Schweizerische Bundesbahnen (German)
- CFF - Chemins de Fer Fédéraux Suisses (French)
- FFS - Ferrovie Federali Svizzere (Italian)