Rail transport SBB checks trains for asbestos at a cost of several million francs
SBB is having over 400 trains tested for asbestos and other harmful substances. The railroad has earmarked almost CHF 5 million for the analyses and any remedial work over the next few years.
07.11.2025, 13:13
07.11.2025, 13:43
SDA
A spokeswoman told the Keystone-SDA news agency in response to an inquiry that the railroad will be spending around CHF 1.4 million over the next five years on testing by a specialist company. She confirmed the corresponding report by CH Media.
SBB is drawing up a renovation and disposal concept based on these analyses. Between 2026 and 2031, the railroad has earmarked around CHF 3.5 million for the remediation of pollutants in passenger transport. Various fleets are potentially contaminated, most of which will still be in use until the 2030s.
According to the spokesperson, pollutant investigations have been standard practice at SBB for years. In addition to asbestos, the focus is also on other building pollutants and heavy metals.
This is a normal material check, emphasized SBB CEO Vincent Ducrot in an interview with Keystone-SDA on Friday. There can be no question of asbestos contamination in wagons. It was merely being checked. There had been no concrete suspicion.
No acute danger
Meanwhile, there is no danger to passengers and employees, SBB stated. Without damage to the bound asbestos products, no harmful substances would be released. The samples were also taken in areas to which passengers have no access.
The use of asbestos as a building material has been banned in Switzerland since 1990. It becomes a health hazard when its fibers are released and inhaled.
