Published
Omikron is causing problems for public transport companies in the Zurich region. The consequences are emergency plans and adapted timetables.
Stadtbus Winterthur runs with an adjusted timetable until January 1st.
20min / Sonja Mulitze
Stadtbus Winterthur also had to adjust the timetables.
20min / Michael Scherrer
It is unclear how the new Omikron variant will affect public transport companies in Zurich. «The development with regard to the increasing number of cases makes us Worries, ”says Michael Poysden, spokesman for Stadtbus Winterthur. Various scenarios are currently being prepared, including the development of a step-by-step plan. It states which measures are taken in the event of a certain number of illness-related absences.
“We want to be prepared,” says Posyden. From January onwards, additional driver service employees will be trained every month. “In addition, in the event of failures, we can count on the support of former employees and early retired chauffeurs.”
Stadtbus Winterthur runs with an adjusted timetable until January 1st. After that, the complete offer will be displayed again drive. The reason: The personnel situation has changedh Corona-related failures in the last few weeks slightly relaxed.
“We are in the process of drawing up an emergency plan”
Verkehrsbetriebe Zürichsee und Oberland AG (ZVO) is also currently working on an emergency plan. “We are in the fortunate position of not having to make any adjustments at the moment and hope that it stays that way,” says René Bauert, member of the management, in relation to 20 Minuten.
According to Aargau Verkehr AG (AVA), there are currently enough drivers available. Possible staff shortages are factored in to a certain extent in the deployment planning. “If this reserve threshold is exceeded, we can quickly fall back on trained employees who primarily work in other functions,” says spokesman Michael Briner. The worst scenario for AVA: the reduction of the timetable. “We only consider this step when all other options have been exhausted.”
«Our specialized staff cannot be replaced»
Because coronaconditional Personnelfailures The Sihltal-Zürich-Üetliberg-Bahn (SZU) will travel with you until January 7th reduced Timetable. “Our specialized staff cannot be replaced,” says Marcel Geser, SZU’s head of the market, to the “NZZ”. If the staff absences increase even more, the offer would have to be further restricted, said Geser.
Both Zurich public transport companyn (VBZ) observe seit almost two years ethe situation systematically in the task force. “We have a pandemic plan that provides for various measures depending on the situation,” says Vice Director Silvia Behofsits to the “NZZ”.
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