Overcrowded S-Bahn gets stuck in tunnels

Construction is currently being built on the rail tracks of the Zurich gold coast. The SBB are apparently overwhelmed by the task. The repairs should take place at night and on weekends – but they always bring traffic to a standstill during the day during rush hour.

Last week the commuters had to leave the trains in Küsnacht. The reason was given: the work on the tracks could not have ended in time at night. Replacement buses are available for the onward journey to Zurich. At Küsnacht station there was not a single bus.

Now there was a breakdown on Monday morning that was much heavier. A train got stuck in the single -track tunnel between Zurich Tiefenbrunnen and Stadelhofen. The cars were overcrowded. Many commuters stood in the corridors because there were no more free seats.

« I can’t breathe anymore, » says a passenger

Previously, several trains had failed on the route. The passengers were asked to climb one of the few compositions that ran on the gold coast between Rapperswil and Zurich. She was traveling with a delay of ten minutes.

This train stopped shortly after entering the tunnel in the Zurich Seefeld district. The light was partially out of the car – and then completely. Passengers activated the lamps on their cell phones so that they didn’t have to stay in the dark.

The ventilation also failed and the window panes were immediately fogged on the inside. The glasses of the passengers soon ran. It was stuffy – and some passengers wondered how long the oxygen in the overcrowded train was.

A traveler broke out in tears. Another spoke on her cell phone: « Ya No Puedo Respirar. » What means in Spanish: I can no longer breathe.

The information from the SBB was bad. It took a long time for the locomotive driver to report and explained that the train had a technical disorder and that one try to fix the defect.

Then the passengers had to endure the announcement that the rail traffic between Zurich and miles was interrupted because a train blocks the route. « Yes, that’s us damn, » said a commuter.

It became increasingly quiet on the train. Some passengers were concerned with the concern. Many took off their coats and jackets. You had well covered in this cool morning and found yourself in a pressing warm rail car.

Defective train must be towed

After 50 minutes finally the next information: the train will be towed. A locomotive is on the way. It then took another half hour for the train to slowly move. An ambulance was waiting at the Stadelhofen train station at the Perron. It is unclear whether this happened from caution or travelers collapsed.

Why do the SBB slip the construction work on the tracks of the Zurich gold coast? Why is the information of passengers insufficient? How are passengers compensated, who have to stay in a tunnel in the morning due to the inadequacy of the Federal Railways two hours late in the morning commuter traffic and 80 minutes – in overcrowded wagons?

The SBB share: Last Wednesday there were delays due to a defective rail crane. On the other hand, the problem with a defective switch in Zollikon was this Monday morning. It caused restrictions on rail traffic. In addition, there was a vehicle disorder.

« A train of the S20 was blocked in the tunnel between Stadelhofen and Tiefenbrunnen, » write the SBB. The disorder had an impact on lighting and ventilation on the train and thus led to an « unpleasant situation for travelers ».

There were several announcements in the affected train. “After that, a reset was made on the vehicle, trying to fix the disorder. Unfortunately, no announcements can be made on the train during such a vehicle reset. »

The SBB apologize the passengers of the train. And they point out: «In the event of disturbances such as delays, train failures or on the road, the passenger rights of the SBB apply. From a delay of 60 minutes, customers can apply for compensation. »