History of PostBus

A strong brand

You are here

We’re proud to set Switzerland in motion – thanks to tradition and innovation

History

The origin of PostBus began in 1849 with the development of a federal  horse-drawn postal network. PostBus was founded in 1906, when the first scheduled automobile postal service between Bern and Detligen began on 1 June that year. PostBus made a breakthrough in 1919. In that year, the first two mountain routes, the Simplon Pass and Reichenau–Flims, entered operation. Since then, the route network in Switzerland has been continually expanded to over 900 lines. In 2003, PostBus transported over 100 million passengers for the first time. In 2001 in the Principality of Liechtenstein and in France in 2004, the first steps were taken abroad.

In 2011, PostBus put Switzerland’s first fuel cell buses into operation in Brugg in the canton of Aargau, and opened the first stations for the nationwide bike sharing provider, PubliBike, a subsidiary of PostBus. In 2016, PostBus started testing its SmartShuttles in Sion: they were the world’s first autonomous buses in public transport. In Saas-Fee, the first fully electric Postbuses are used in winter 2016/2017. In February 2018, Swiss Post and the FOT informed the public that PostBus had used irregular accounting practices for several years, obtaining millions of francs too much in subsidies from the Confederation. Swiss Post repaid 205 million francs to the Confederation and the cantons.

In 2018, PostBus’s on-demand service began with “Kollibri”. With the sale of CarPostal France in September 2019, PostBus ended its commitments in France. With 167 million passengers transported, 2019 was the most successful year for PostBus to date. Thanks to the opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel, PostBus experienced the biggest expansion in regional passenger transport in recent decades from 13 December 2020 in Ticino. PostBus lost its service tender in Liechtenstein and discontinues scheduled services in the Principality in December 2021 after 99 years. This also meant the end of PostBus activities abroad. PubliBike became a Swiss Post subsidiary in 2021, and in February 2022, three private investors bought the bike hire company. In 2020 and 2021, Swiss public transport experienced major disruptions due to coronavirus, as did PostBus. As the systems leader for road-based transport, PostBus worked together with SBB to coordinate measures in the public transport sector during the pandemic.

PostBus takes you on a comprehensive journey through time here:

from 2017

2022

Up to 40,000 people fall ill with coronavirus every day in January and February. The south and west regions in particular are affected by high levels of absences among drivers. However, operational levels are maintained.

In January, Swiss Post sells the bike sharing company PubliBike, founded by PostBus in 2001, to private Swiss investors. 
2021

PubliBike joins Swiss Post from PostBus as a subsidiary.

From June, an electric Postbus hits the roads in the Brugg region.  The charging process is performed using a pantograph which is lowered onto the bus from above. This marks the first time PostBus has used this technology. The charging station obtains its electricity from the neighbouring photovoltaic system.

Together with other mobility providers, PostBus founds the Swiss Association for Autonomous Mobility (SAAM) in June. The companies are to work more closely together to promote the use of self-driving vehicles in Switzerland and to position Switzerland as a pioneering country for autonomous mobility. In summer 2021, the autonomous PostBus SmartShuttles return for several months after a lengthy break in the Uvrier district of Sion. In November, a SmartShuttle is put on display at the Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne.

From October, PostBus begins testing Robi, the luggage robot that carries luggage for holiday-makers, for the first time in Switzerland in Saas-Fee.

From 12 December, PostBus operates all bus routes in the canton of Jura. Also at the timetable change in December, PostBus withdraws from bus operations in the Principality of Liechtenstein after 99 years, to focus entirely on its operations in Switzerland.

In 2021, passenger numbers recover somewhat in the second year of the coronavirus, but they are still well below the level of the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
2020

From March, the coronavirus pandemic has a major impact on public transport. To contain the virus, social life in Switzerland is restricted. Against this backdrop, and because staff shortages are expected, Swiss transport companies gradually reduce the timetable from 19 March 2020 in coordination with the Federal Office of Transport. Universal service is guaranteed. There had never been such a far-reaching change to the timetable within a few days.

PostBus and SBB serve as industry leaders and coordinate public transport companies in Switzerland during this difficult situation. From 11 May 2020, most Postbuses once again operate according to the normal timetable. From 6 July 2020, it is compulsory to wear masks in public transport for the first time.

In the summer, PostBus conducts pilot projects with an electric-powered London taxi in Valle Verzasca and Brig. 
Thanks to the opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel, PostBus experiences the biggest expansion in regional passenger transport in recent decades from 13 December in Ticino.

Before Christmas, PostBus re-opens the Chur garage, which was destroyed in a major fire in January 2019 and subsequently rebuilt.

In 2020, public transport in Switzerland suffered serious disruptions due to coronavirus, while PostBus had 25 percent fewer passengers. As a licensed enterprise in regional passenger transport, PostBus may not generate planned profits. Any surpluses must be paid into the statutory reserves. PostBus uses this reserve to cover the loss of revenue caused by the pandemic and has no entitlement to the financial support for public transport decided by Parliament for its regional transport operations.
2019

On 17 January, a major fire caused by a defective cable leaves the Chur garage in ruins, and 17 Postbuses are completely destroyed.

From 1 April, the public transport sector starts keeping a central register for the registration of passengers who, upon an inspection, are unable to produce a ticket or have only a partially valid ticket. PostBus manages this fare dodger register for the sector. PostBus had already carried out ticket checks and payment collection for several Swiss public transport companies for years prior.

With the sale of CarPostal France in September, PostBus ends its commitments in France.

With 167 million passengers transported, 2019 is the most successful year for PostBus to date. 
2018

On 6 February, Swiss Post and the FOT inform the public that PostBus had used irregular accounting practices for several years, obtaining millions of francs too much in subsidies from the Confederation. On 11 June 2018, Swiss Post discharges all members of the PostBus Executive Board. Swiss Post repays 205 million francs to the Confederation and the cantons.

In September, another electric Postbus enters operation in Sarnen.

On 1 November, Christian Plüss begins his new role as Head of PostBus.

The one-year “Kollibri” pilot project in the Brugg region begins: customers can order un-timetabled minibuses on demand via an app. 
2017 In August, PostBus begins a three-year pilot project with an electric bus in Interlaken.

2010 to 2016

2016

Together with partners of the Mobility Lab, PostBus tested the electronic ticket system CIBO in Sion. The passengers use their smartphone and always receive the lowest price for the route they travelled.

On 23 June the test operations of the SmartShuttles was launched in Sion, the first self-driving vehicles in Switzerland to transport passengers in the public sphere. These are trailblazing tests worldwide.

Beginning in September the mobility app NordwestMobil was tested in the Basel region. The app allows customers to combine private and public means of transport – an absolute first. NordwestMobil makes the option to use various means of transport much easier and clearer.

In early December 2016 PostBus launched the first two electric shuttle buses for skiers. The buses are completely battery-operated and free to use for the guests in Saas-Fee. These were the first electric buses in Switzerland that PostBus put into operation.
2015

In the process of the city of Zurich’s plans to establish the largest bike-sharing network in Switzerland featuring over 100 stations the PostBus subsidiary PubliBike won the call for tender ahead of five other competitors.

Together, the five postbuses with fuel cells in the Brugg region passed the mark of one million kilometres on 31 July 2015, providing proof that as a drive technology, hydrogen is unquestionably suitable for public transport.

PostBus launched PubliRide, a product for communities and companies to encourage the establishment of car pools. With the Internet platform, it is easy and convenient to organise a car pool. While the goal of PubliRide is to decongest traffic in the cities, this is intended to enhance the existing public transport services in rural areas.
2014

The first PostBus stops were equipped with DynPaper. These new timetables are no longer printed on paper. Instead, departure times are indicated on a flexible, electronic display. The 13 stops with DynPaper were part of a pilot project until the spring of 2015.

PostBus and the Swiss Parks Network launched the partner campaign “With PostBus to the Swiss Parks”. The kick-off of the partnership was celebrated with a public event at Bern’s Federal Plaza. In addition, a postbus in Swiss Parks design went on a tour of Switzerland. The purpose was to encourage people to choose public transport to travel to 20 park regions.

In the Grisons, PostBus tested the new “bike porter” bicycle trailer, a ground-breaking project in Switzerland.

In the summer of 2015 the public transport industry introduced the SwissPass. The PostBus drivers were provided with robust smartphones for this. PostBus also offers these tools, the inspection software for the SwissPass as well as the operation of the inspection system to other transport companies.
2013

For the first time in a quarter century PostBus put an extra-large postbus (bus with trailer) into service on the Laupen–Düdingen route.

PostBus gained initial experience with a battery-operated bus. For two weeks a battery-operated electric vehicle was in operation for test purposes in Yverdon.

After a rigorous test phase PostBus introduced real time information in the area covered by the Nordwestschweiz fare association: travellers can now obtain actually expected departure and arrival times from the display boards provided at the stops.
2012

PostBus acquires velopass GmbH and becomes Switzerland’s largest bike rental self-service company.

PostBus begins to equip its fleet with free WiFi. The roll-out is completed in April 2013.

Switzerland’s first hydrogen filling station for buses opens in Brugg. It supplies vehicles which have been used to test fuel cell technology in public transport since December 2011.

The free PostBus App is launched. It is available in German, French, Italian and English.

The MyPlus loyalty programme is launched. Customers benefit from exclusive special offers, great discounts, reduced fares as well as prize draws and competitions.

Switzerland’s first three PostBus vehicles using the lower-emission Euro 6 drive system are put into operation in the conurbation of Berne.
2011

As first public transport company in Switzerland, PostBus moves ahead with the operation of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles.

PostBus, SBB and Rent a Bike inaugurate the first PubliBike stations in four Swiss towns. PubliBike offers bicycles and E-Bikes for personal use in the form of rentals - thus completing the final mile in the service transport chain.

PostBus receives a new brand image.
2010

PostBus wins public tender to provide bus services in Liechtenstein for a ten-year term starting in 2011.

The first hybrid postbus went into operation in the Bern region. It saves 20 to 30 per cent of fuel compared to a pure diesel bus.

PostBus has launched its first bike-sharing service in the city of Sion with 50 bicycles at six rental stations.

With LeisureClick, PostBus is the first public transportation company to launch an augmented reality application for leisure activities.

2000 to 2009

2009 PostBus wins several public tenders to provide bus services in France, including Mâcon, Dole, Agde, and Villefranche-sur-Saône, in the Herault Department and the greater Grenoble area.
2007 Mobile communication makes its debut
2006 PostBus celebrates its centenary.
2005 PostBus wins the tenders for the French towns of Obernai and Bourg-en-Bresse
2004

Swiss Post founds PostBus Switzerland Ltd, which commences operation on 1 July 2006.

PostBus tenders its vehicle procurement activities as part of a WTO tender.

PostBus Switzerland secures the tender for the bus network in Dôle (F) for the next six years.
2003

PostBus carries more than 100 million passengers for the first time.

PostBus becomes the first transport company to be awarded the Q quality seal level III from the Swiss tourist board.
2002 Swiss Post introduces five flagship brands under the core "SWISS POST" brand. In addition to the new flagship brand logo, the name PostBus is now written with a capital "B".
2001 The Alpine Post routes are offered worldwide as "Route Express Lines".
2000 FlyCar: the FlyCar ran in 2000 in Ticino between Lugano and Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy. The service was withdrawn a few years later because of a lack of demand.
2000

PostBus is commissioned by the Stiftung Behindertentransport des Kantons Bern (Foundation for the transport of people with disabilities for Canton Berne) to operate two special vehicles in Thun under the brand name VivaCar.

PostBus Switzerland wins the WTO tender to operate the bus network in Liechtenstein for the next ten years.

1990 to 1999

1999 CityCar Martigny: the world's smallest Postbus, the two-seater, electric CityCar, was tested by PostBus and its partners under laboratory conditions in Martigny. The concept was discontinued following the test phase as the costs involved were too high.
1998 PostBus experiences its first taste of cantonal tenders and reinforces its position as a market leader in road-based regional transport in Switzerland.
1996 The revised Railways Act enters into force; the cantons are now responsible for regional transport.
1995 The PubliCar dial-a-ride system is introduced in Frauenfeld and Oron.
1995 16 regional PostBus centres are set up in preparation for the impending free market.
1992 The opening ceremony of the PostBus station in Chur takes place in 1992.  At that time, PostBus Switzerland Ltd did not yet exist: passenger transport services were still part of the District Postal Directorates.

1980 to 1989

1980 PostBus begins operating the city buses in Bellinzona.

1970 to 1979

1975 The PostBus holiday pass is introduced.
1971 All Postbuses and stops appear in Swiss Post yellow with a red band.
1970 The first female bus driver is appointed – in 1970 Claire Buner applied to Swiss Post for a job as a bus driver. She became the first woman to be accepted and received the necessary training. Starting in 1971, she worked on the Jonschwil-Uzwil route for around 20 years.

1960 to 1969

1969 The first articulated Postbus is brought into operation
1965 The first, modern, sheltered PostBus station is built above the platforms of the main railway station in Berne.
1961 The last horse-drawn mail coach is discontinued on the Avers-Juf route.

1950 to 1959

1959 The new PostBus operator vehicles receive a face-lift in ochre yellow. These vehicles previously sported the company colours of the respective owner.
1957 PostBus operates the first school routes.
1956 Ticket machines are installed in 150 Postbuses.
1954 32 new Type IIIa Alpine vans are commissioned; group transport and extra trips are now possible.

1940 to 1949

1949 PostBus takes over the licensed routes in Liechtenstein using its own vehicles.
1946 Opening of the Susten Pass and start of an era which includes the famous three and four-pass round trips which still remain favourites today.
1942 The Alpine Post routes remain out of operation in the run-up to the Second World War.

1930 to 1939

1935 The first cab-over-engine Postbus is commissioned.
1933 The first Postbuses with passenger trailers begin operation.
1931 Postbuses are fitted with diesel engines for the first time.

1920 to 1929

1928 Swiss Post commissions a snow blower for the first time to help ensure the smooth running of winter services over the Maloja Pass.
1927 Postbuses begin operating over the Flüela Pass and 39 mountain roads are designated mountainous postal routes.
1924 Routes switch systematically to motorized forms of transport; the company now employs 169 vehicles.
1923 The three-tone horn is heard for the first time on the mountain routes.
1921 The Alpine Post is founded. The Grimsel, Furka, Bernardino and Oberalp Passes are opened.

1911 to 1920

1919/20 40 army vehicles are converted into Postbuses: the bus company now owns 104 vehicles. As a result, the horse-drawn postal network has all but vanished by 1930.
1919 Opening of the PostBus line via the Simplon Pass.

1849 and 1906

1906 The first scheduled motorized service between Berne and Detligen commences.
1849 Taking over of the cantonal horse-drawn mail coach by the Federal postal service.