Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG (BOB AG) was able to continue its post-pandemic recovery in 2023. With 6.7 million passengers, the Bernese Oberland Railway (BOB) transported more people in 2023 than ever before. The figure for 2022 was thus exceeded by 36.3 per cent. Happily, the increase in transport revenue was even greater than the increase in passenger numbers. At CHF 21.2 million, it exceeded the 20 million mark for the first time.
The Schynige Platte Railway (SPB) was also able to increase its transport revenue by just under CHF 0.1 million, even though frequencies were 18.4 per cent down on the previous year. Overall, the transport income of Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG increased by CHF 6.6 million to CHF 26.0 million compared with 2022.
In 2023, the Swiss government and the Canton of Bern paid compensation of CHF 15.9 million for passenger transport and infrastructure, a reduction of CHF 7.6 million (-32 per cent) on 2022.
CHF 2.6 million profit
Overall, BOB AG generated an annual profit of over CHF 2.6 million (-66.2 per cent). CHF 1.2 million of the company’s profit comes from the Regional Passenger Transport division, CHF 0.7 million from the Infrastructure division and CHF 0.8 million from the Schynige Platte Railway and Secondary Business divisions.
BOB’s transport revenue (+43.7 per cent) in particular contributed to the good result. Of the total of CHF 21.2 million, more than half (CHF 11.6 million) came from flat-rate tickets. The Swiss Travel Pass accounts for the majority of this, at CHF 5.2 million, an increase of over CHF 2.0 million.
The pleasing results show that the generation project V-Cableway is having the expected positive impact at the BOB. The BOB is thus taking another important step in the development of public transport towards its integration into a modern chain of experiences.
| Amounts in CHF (1000s) |
| | 2023 | 2022 | Change in % |
| Bernese Oberland Railway transport revenue | 21’244 | 14’785 | +43,7% |
| Transport revenue, Schynige Platte Railway | 4’796 | 4’705 | +1,9% |
| Compensation | 15’893 | 23’542 | -32,5% |
| Total operating income | 51’973 | 50’311 | +3,3% |
| Total operating expenses | -34’923 | -30’596 | +14,1% |
| EBITDA | 17’050 | 19’715 | -13,5% |
| Annual result | 2’633 | 7’793 | -66,2% |
Investments
Investments totalling CHF 27.2 million were made in the Infrastructure division. The newly refurbished Zweilütschinen railway station was put into operation with the timetable change in December 2023. It now meets the requirements for barrier-free public transport access and has been connected to the central control centre. The new station and Park+Ride at Matten bei Interlaken were also opened in December 2023.
Outlook
In 2024, the addition of four further trainsets to the BOB’s rolling stock fleet will mean higher investment costs. The traffic studies commissioned by BOB AG confirm the central role of BOB in coping with future traffic volumes in the Lütschinen valleys. With convenient connections between transport hubs, the BOB is the number one choice for customers who want to travel quickly to accommodation and attractions. These investments are justified both in terms of regional transport policy and from an economic perspective.
The annual report of Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG is published at the following link:
Link: Business Report Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG 2023
