Swiss Court Orders Review of Double-Decker Train Accessibility for Disabled Passengers

A Swiss court has ruled in favor of disability rights campaigners over concerns about the accessibility of double-decker Dosto trains. The Federal Administrative Court upheld an appeal by Inclusio Handicap, which argued that the current design fails to meet the needs of passengers with reduced mobility. The decision follows criticism of an expert report that overlooked key accessibility issues.

The case centered on the boarding and alighting areas of the Dosto trains, which Inclusio Handicap claimed were poorly designed for disabled travelers. The organization highlighted that the expert report, commissioned by the Federal Office of Transport (FOT), relied on calculations based on a standard wheelchair. Practical tests were also carried out with participants who had no mobility impairments, making the findings unreliable.

The court found that the report failed to address the needs of electric wheelchair users, rollator users, and people with conditions such as multiple sclerosis or stroke survivors. It also noted that older passengers were not properly considered in the assessment.

As a result, the judges ruled that Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) must now determine whether modifications to at least one carriage per train are technically possible and reasonable. The decision puts pressure on transport authorities to reassess accessibility standards for the Dosto fleet.

Inclusio Handicap had previously criticized the trains' design, arguing that the boarding process was unsafe and impractical for many disabled passengers. The court's ruling confirms that the existing expert report did not provide sufficient answers to these concerns.

The Federal Administrative Court's decision means SBB must now evaluate whether changes to the Dosto trains can be made to improve accessibility. The ruling specifically requires a review of at least one carriage per train, ensuring better provisions for passengers with limited mobility. The case highlights ongoing challenges in making public transport fully inclusive for all users.