Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG (BOB AG) can look back on very strong demand and the highest transport revenue in its history during the financial year 2024. Overall, the transport revenue of Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG increased by CHF 3.5 million to CHF 29.6 million.
With 7.1 million passengers, the Bernese Oberland Railway (BOB) transported more people in 2024 than ever before. The figure for 2023 was thus exceeded by 5.8 per cent. Transport revenue increased disproportionately to the growth in passengers: at CHF 25.3 million, it is 19.1 per cent higher than in the record year 2023.
109,500 people travelled on the Schynige Platte Railway (SPB) during the reporting year. That is 6.5 per cent more guests than in 2023. However, transport income fell by 10.9 per cent to CHF 4.3 million. The main reason behind this is declining income from flat-rate tickets, the distribution key for which has been adjusted for 2024.
In 2024, the Swiss government and the Canton of Bern paid compensation of CHF 13.9 million for passenger transport and infrastructure, a reduction of CHF 2 million (-12.6 per cent) compared to 2023. Despite lower compensation, overall sales increased by CHF 0.7 million to CHF 52.7 million.
Rising costs lead to losses of CHF 0.7 million
Due to the high demand and various external effects, operating expenses increased by CHF 3.7 million to CHF 38.7 million. Personnel expenses rose by CHF 0.3 million or 1.8 per cent. The increase in costs was particularly noticeable in other operating expenses, which were mainly due to the increase in electricity costs of CHF 2.1 million and service expenses of CHF 0.9 million.
Overall, BOB AG posted an annual loss of CHF 0.7 million.
| Amounts in CHF (1000s) | 2024 | 2023 | Veränderung in % |
| Transport revenue, Bernese Oberland Railway | 25,302 | 21,244 | +19,1% |
| Transport revenue, Schynige Platte Railway | 4,271 | 4,796 | -10,9% |
| Compensation | 13,883 | 15,893 | -12,6% |
| Total operating income | 52,676 | 51,973 | +1,4% |
| Total operating expenses | -38,651 | -34,923 | +10,7% |
| EBITDA | 14,025 | 17,050 | -17,7% |
| Annual result | -691 | 2,633 | -126,2% |
Investments
Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG invested CHF 46.7 million in 2024. 26.2 million was invested in 10 new multiple-unit trains, which will supplement the existing fleet up to 2027. Investments totalling CHF 15.4 million were made in the infrastructure division. Investments were mainly made in the completion of the conversion of Zweilütschinen railway station, the crossing point and the Matten station, as well as in the construction of a new platform roof at Grindelwald railway station. The renovation project for the Schynige Platte railway also progressed according to plan with an investment volume of CHF 1.9 million.
Sustainability
In the 2024 reporting year, Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG explicitly included sustainability in its annual report for the first time - an important step towards sustainable corporate management.
Outlook
With the ongoing procurement of rolling stock, the BOB is aiming for a seasonal quarter-hourly service in the medium term, with the aim of further reducing motorised private transport in the Lütschinen valleys and to be able to offer even more convenient public transport connections. The first six additional multiple-unit trains are set to be in operation by October 2025.
A new planning application will be submitted in the first half of 2025 for the conversion of Burglauenen railway station with a crossing point and road underpass in order to initiate the building permit procedure.
The planning approval application for the project to renovate the Wilderswil workshop on the Schynige Platte Railway was submitted in early summer 2023. Approval is expected in the second quarter of 2025. Construction should then be able to start in 2025.
The Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG annual report is published via the following link:
Link: Business Report Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG 2024
