Swiss Railways' ETCS Level 2 Upgrade to Disrupt Gotthard Route Travel

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) will upgrade the Giubiasco signal box to the ETCS Level 2 train control system on the night of May 26–27, 2018. The change is essential for future rail improvements but will cause major disruptions for passengers travelling through Ticino and the Gotthard route.

The upgrade will take place under a special operating license from the Federal Office of Transport (FOT). Around 100 employees will work overnight to complete the transition. After the switchover, track adjustments in Giubiasco will prepare for the new Ceneri Base Tunnel, set to open in December 2020.

Passengers should expect cancellations and delays during and after the upgrade. Long-distance and regional trains will be replaced by buses between Bellinzona and Lugano. SBB has warned travellers to allow extra time for journeys on the Gotthard route and within Ticino in the following days.

The last major ETCS Level 2 upgrade in Giubiasco, back in May 2018, led to weeks of chaos. Signal failures, speed limits reduced to 140 km/h, and multiple line closures—including a 10-day shutdown in June 2018—disrupted thousands of daily passengers. Similar issues could arise again this time.

Once fully operational, ETCS Level 2 will increase train capacity through the base tunnels by sending key data directly to drivers. The signal box controls a stretch from the Dragonato Tunnel in the north to Vigana and Sant'Antonino in the south.

The upgrade is a necessary step before the Ceneri Base Tunnel opens in 2020. However, the immediate impact will be felt by passengers facing cancellations and delays. SBB has urged travellers to plan ahead and expect changes to services on the north-south axis and within Ticino.