SBB Cargo cuts 65 jobs: eight terminals close

Post on: 21.05.2025

SBB Cargo reorganizes its freight traffic and announces the cut of 65 full-time jobs, hitting Ticino and German-speaking Switzerland hard. The measure è linked to the abandonment of the east-west axis in combined traffic, a Activitiesà now considered too deficient. The renovation, however, will not involve redundancies in Ticino.

SBB Cargo | Eight terminals towards closure

In a statement released this morning, the freight branch of the Swiss Federal Railways explained that two-thirds of the cuts – About 40 jobs will take place in Italian-speaking Switzerland, while the remaining third will be of interest to the regions of German-speaking Switzerland. Despite the scope of the measure, SBB assures that staff in Ticino will be internally reabsorbed or exited; through natural fluctuations, such as retirements or transfers.

The decision entails the closure of eight intermodal terminals located in Basel, Oensingen (SO), Gossau (SG), Widnau (SG), Renens (VD), St-Triphon (VD), Cadenazzo and Lugano. Combined traffic – i.e. container transport by train and road – è loss of around CHF 12 million at the year, on a total turnover of 18 million.

Focus on north-south axis

To survive will be a single container rail connection between Dietikon (ZH) and Stabio (TI), with onward road transport before and after the terminals. Combined traffic will be therefore focused on the North-South main axis, which SBB intends to strengthen in the scope of the strategy " Suisse Cargo Logistics" announced in 2022.

In the event that the Dietikon-Stabio connection proves to be effective, è the creation of a trimodal terminal in North Basel, capable of handling goods by rail, road and ship, is being studied.

Ticino: hit but strategic

Despite the strong downsizing, SBB reiterates its strategic importance of Ticino, which occupies a key position on the North-South axis. The canton will see indeed new investments, such as the construction of the new railway industrial plant in Arbedo-Castione, destined to create at least 360 jobs and 80 apprenticeships.

SEV: " Dangerous decision"

The transport staff union (SEV) harshly criticized the choice, speaking of a " clean cut" which puts at risk the transfer of goods from road to rail. The SEV calls on SBB Cargo to review the decision and propose alternative solutions, such as the Temporary deployment of staff in other areas of the SBB Group.

With this restructuring, SBB Cargo aims to save a total of CHF 60 million by 2033 by streamlining operations; less profitable.