SBB reports positive half-year results for 2026: more passengers, higher punctuality, improved financial result

In passenger transport, however, SBB is now recording a noticeable recovery. Those responsible attributed the increase to higher demand, better punctuality and a revised service offering. The rising passenger numbers are an important signal for the future of national rail transport.

Financial development

The half-year results also show a positive financial development. The improved financial result is of particular importance for SBB, which is owned by the federal government. It strengthens the foundation for upcoming investments in the rail network and rolling stock.

The person at the centre of communication was André Wyss, who presented the results to the public. With the half-year results, SBB's leadership underlines its claim to put the company back on a growth course and to regain the trust of customers.

SBB announced on Wednesday: "Mehr Reisende, hohe Pünktlichkeit und ein verbessertes Finanzergebnis: Die SBB blicken auf ein erfolgreiches erstes Halbjahr 2026 zurück, teilten die SBB-Verantwortlichen am Mittwoch mit." In doing so, the company underlines its own turnaround.

Challenges in freight transport

Not all areas of the SBB Group are recording growth, however. Freight transport remains under pressure. The industry organisation VAP had pointed to structural problems in the past: "The VAP cited the reduction of service points, reduced shunting services, partly massively higher prices, and lower customer orientation as causes of the decline." This criticism points to ongoing challenges in the Cargo sector.

SBB therefore sees itself in a dual role: while passenger transport is growing, freight transport must be repositioned. The Group Management announced that it would continue to invest in stabilising the Cargo divisions. The federal government, as owner, is closely monitoring the development, as SBB plays a central role in Switzerland's public transport.

The Zurich-Altstetten site, one of the most important hubs in the SBB network, is regarded as an indicator of the overall development. High utilisation there reflects the increased demand across the entire network. SBB therefore interprets the half-year figures as an encouraging signal.

Overall, the SBB officials assess the first six months of 2026 as a turning point. With rising passenger numbers, high punctuality and a better financial result, they see the course set for a successful second half of the year.

Significance for the federal government and the future

The news was disseminated on Wednesday by several Swiss news agencies, including the sda, and confirmed by a total of three sources. The 2026 half-year results are therefore considered a confirmed report.

With the positive half-year results, SBB is also strengthening its position vis-à-vis the federal government. As a federally owned company, it depends on stable political framework conditions in order to be able to implement the planned investments in infrastructure and service expansion.

The success in the first half of 2026 is an important intermediate step for SBB. The coming months will show whether the course set in passenger transport is sustainable and whether the problems in freight transport can be resolved.

SBB announced its intention to continue building on the positive development in the second half of 2026. This includes investments in punctuality, the expansion of the service offering and the modernisation of infrastructure.