PostBus drivers in new clothes

With the start of the first scheduled postal bus route in 1906, the drivers appeared very formal. Historical photographs show dark jackets or coats, shirt, tie and often a distinctive cap. Serious, stately, respectful.

With the expansion of the network and the embedding in the PTT world, the riders' clothing became more uniform. They appeared as clearly recognizable service uniforms – dark, neat, functional and with hats. The uniform was intended to make discipline, reliability and affiliation to the Federal Post visible.

With the modernization of public transport, clothing gradually became more practical. The uniform lost some of its strict, almost military character and developed more strongly into workwear. The drivers remain clearly recognizable, but should be able to move more freely in everyday life and work more comfortably. The dresses were not allowed to prove themselves for women until 1971, when Claire Buner became the first woman to sit at the wheel of a Postbus.

At the end of 1997, the era of the PTT (Postal, Telegraph and Telephone Service) ended, and the Post Office procured a new range of clothing. The new clothing did not want to be trendy, but fashionable, and to replace the PTT world and the term "uniform". As a result, the burgundy and blue tones disappeared from the collection, and instead colors from white to black shaped the appearance of all postal areas, combined with postal yellow and a little postal red. After wearing tests by the employees, the collection was revised and delivered from 2001.

In 2007 and 2015, this clothing range was again checked and revised twice by Swiss Post in terms of quality, cuts and appearance. The desire for PostBus staff to be more recognisable from other public transport companies led to shirts and blouses being embroidered with a post horn from 2007 onwards. This was followed by accessories such as PostBus caps, ties and nicki scarves.

The development continues: PostBus drivers have been receiving new clothes since the beginning of 2026. It will be introduced gradually. Employees took part in wearing tests as early as 2024; their findings flow into the new collection.