What is the legal basis for traveling without a valid ticket?

Tickets are compulsory on all BLS trains. This means that all passengers are responsible for holding a ticket. Customers must have a valid ticket before starting their journey (actual departure). The purchase and ordering process (digitally purchased tickets) and the purchase of the travel authorization (check-in) must be completed in full before the actual departure.

The basis for this is the Passenger Transportation Act and the fare regulations.

Passengers without a valid or partially valid ticket pay a surcharge and a flat-rate ticket fee or the fare. Personal details will be recorded in all cases. We reserve the right to file a complaint.

In the event of misuse, additional charges must be paid (at least CHF 100 per person). We also reserve the right to prosecute.

Presenting a counterfeit ticket will result in high fees (at least CHF 200) and criminal prosecution.

All our decisions are based on the Common Tariff Supplementary Provisions for National Direct Transport and the Federations. This tariff is based on the Passenger Transportation Act (PBG, 745.1) and the Ordinance on Passenger Transportation (VPB, 745.11).