Following on from last year's expansion, as of 13 December 2009 PostBus is once again adding a further 3.5 million timetabled kilometres to its network. The new timetable sees the addition of 22 new PostBus routes. Passengers will benefit chiefly from more connections and increased services during off-peak periods. PostBus will also improve bus stops by introducing ticket machines and panels displaying real-time information at stops on some of its busiest routes.

Over the next year PostBus Switzerland Ltd will see the expansion of its basic service by 3.5 million kilometres, bringing the total number of timetabled kilometres to around 94 million per year. This represents an increase of four percent, or almost 10,000 kilometres a day, and is on a par with its level of expansion in 2008. The 22 new routes boost the total number of routes PostBus operates in Switzerland to 783. PostBus customers throughout Switzerland will benefit from the new more customer-friendly timetable, and especially from the increased number of journeys at off-peak times.

Increased frequency and better connections around Zurich

The introduction of a new route will provide Stallikon with an hourly connection to the S15 in Birmensdorf and Bonstetten-Wettswil. A new bus concept with modified route branches will enable Affoltern am Albis to benefit from more systematic connections. In addition, an increase in then number of late-evening services will be provided both in Affoltern am Albis and in Bonstetten-Wettswil. On route 200, which commenced operation through the Uetliberg tunnel very successfully in May 2008, new early-morning journeys have been added from Zurich Enge to Affoltern. New morning connections have likewise been introduced with route 827 from Fehraltdorf station to the Schrännenbrunnen industrial estate.

PostBus connections to Lausanne metro

New routes introduced in western Switzerland include Forel-Grandvaux-Cully and urban route 4 in Delsberg (Cras des Fourches-Hôpital-Gros Prés). The route from Thierrens to Froideville now terminates in Chalet-à-Gobet, where bus services 45, 62 and 64 connect with the M2 metro line in Lausanne. Two additional journeys have also been added each day on the Yverdon-Mauborget route, and three on the Yverdon-Suchy route.

Successful tenders up market share in Canton Berne

PostBus has won contracts for four routes in Seeland and Laupenamt: Biel-Lyss; Thörishaus Dorf-Neuenegg; Kerzers-Golaten-Wileroltigen-Gurbrü; Laupen-Gümmenen. Timetable gaps have also been closed and additional journeys laid on in the evenings on numerous existing PostBus routes in Canton Berne. This applies in particular to the Berne-Aarberg-Lyss region, the Schwarzenburgerland and the areas around Interlaken and Erlach.

Expansion in the Engadine and Bergell

Canton Graubünden has also awarded PostBus contracts for increased services. The St.Moritz-Maloja-Castasegna-Chiavenna route now runs hourly in both directions during the summer. Three extra connections have been added in winter too. The international route Scuol-Martina-Nauders/Samnaun-(Landeck)-(Malles/Mals) has been extended to include a service to Nauders every two hours each day. This creates direct connections to Mals as well as additional direct connections between Scuol and Samnaun in both directions.

Extra late-evening services in Aargau and Basel-Land

In response to a steady rise in demand, evening services on Fridays and Saturdays in Aargau and in the Basel area are being further expanded. Following a swap with Autobus AG Liestal (AAGL), PostBus is now operating the Rheinfelden-Kaiseraugst, Rheinfelden-Augarten and Rheinfelden-Kurzentrum-Alte Saline routes. In return, it gave up two routes around Liestal. The swap will enable operations to be optimized. The frequency of journeys between Baden and Bellikon as well as between Baden and Ehrendingen has been increased to quarter-hourly. PostBus will also be installing over 60 ticket machines for the first time at bus stops in the A-Welle and TNW integrated fare networks.

Real-time information coming soon to bus stops in eastern Switzerland

From 13 December the new urban bus route 5 in Frauenfeld will also serve Industriegebiet Ost during peak periods. Bilten will be served half-hourly from Schänis (new Ziegelbrücke-Schänis-Bilten route). The previously separate routes of Uznach-Neuhaus and Rüti ZH-Neuhaus have now been combined to form an eagerly anticipated cross-city line Uznach-Industrie Neuhaus-Eschenbach SG-Rüti ZH with excellent connections to the Zurich S-Bahn. The Buchs-Nesslau route is being extended to Wattwil. In conjunction with Südostbahn AG services, this will create a half-hourly frequency between Wattwil and Wildhaus during peak hours. Around Appenzell, PubliCar is being expanded to include the Gonten and Schwendetal areas. The cross-city routes Heiden-Eggersriet and Rehetobel-St.Gallen-Engelburg will now run every half hour, and even quarter-hourly at certain times of day. The first displays with real-time information will be installed at popular bus stops on the cross-city routes of Heiden-Rehetobel and Eggersriet-St.Gallen-Engelburg during the first half of 2010.

Sursee PubliCar to be converted

In central Switzerland, CAMPUS Sursee is now served by the Sursee-Oberkirch, Campus route. Additionally, as a result of heavier demand Sursee PubliCar is being converted into a regular scheduled service. The existing PubliCar Night service will remain in place in the evenings. Canton Nidwalden will see the introduction of express lakeside services during peak hours. PostBus will also be installing – for the first time ever in central Switzerland – over 20 ticket machines at bus stops.