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SBB is increasingly using cashless toilets. There are no alternatives for access.
The SBB are increasingly using cashless toilets. Pilot projects are currently running in Olten, Schaffhausen, Uster and Regensdorf. In Lucerne, too, access to the station toilet has only been possible without cash since June 11th. “The current access system in Lucerne was at the end of its life cycle,” writes the SBB when asked by “Espresso”. Since spare parts were no longer available, a conversion was made.
“It’s not OK!”
This new access system was almost fatal to an elderly woman on an excursion: She wanted to use the toilet when changing, but simply couldn’t get through the barrier. Only thanks to the help of another woman did she gain access to the toilet, says the woman in the “espresso”. “I was incredibly angry,” says the senior. She doesn’t think it’s okay with older people.
Pro Senectute Switzerland understands technological progress. “You can still learn something in old age,” says Peter Burri Follath, specialist for digital issues in old age at Pro Senectute. However, he doesn’t think it’s okay that SBB doesn’t offer any alternatives for people who don’t have these new technologies. Affected senior citizens could, for example, report to the counter and receive a token or something similar there, Follath suggested.
better information
SBB currently sees no need for action. Alternative access options are not planned. There was feedback, says media spokesman Martin Meier. “We want to improve the information on site,” says Meier. In the next few weeks, step-by-step instructions will be installed in Lucerne.