History

Key figures on the history of PostBus

2012 Free WiFi in PostBuses:  PostBus commences to equip 70 percent of its fleet with wireless Internet.
2011

As first public transport company in Switzerland, PostBus moves ahead with the operation of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles.

PostBus, SBB and Rent a Bike inaugurate the first PubliBike stations in four Swiss towns. PubliBike offers bicycles and E-Bikes for personal use in the form of rentals - thus completing the final mile in the service transport chain.

PostBus receives a new brand image.
2010

PostBus wins public tender to provide bus services in Liechtenstein for a ten-year term starting in 2011.

The first hybrid postbus went into operation in the Bern region. It saves 20 to 30 per cent of fuel compared to a pure diesel bus.

PostBus has launched its first bike-sharing service in the city of Sion with 50 bicycles at six rental stations.

With LeisureClick, PostBus is the first public transportation company to launch an augmented reality application for leisure activities.

2009 PostBus wins several public tenders to provide bus services in France, including Mâcon, Dole, Agde, and Villefranche-sur-Saône, in the Herault Department and the greater Grenoble area.
2007 Mobile communication makes its debut
2006 PostBus celebrates its centenary.
2005 PostBus wins the tenders for the French towns of Obernai and Bourg-en-Bresse
2004

Swiss Post founds PostBus Switzerland Ltd, which commences operation on 1 July 2006.

PostBus tenders its vehicle procurement activities as part of a WTO tender.

PostBus Switzerland secures the tender for the bus network in Dôle (F) for the next six years.
2003

PostBus carries more than 100 million passengers for the first time.

PostBus becomes the first transport company to be awarded the Q quality seal level III from the Swiss tourist board.
2002 Swiss Post introduces five flagship brands under the core "SWISS POST" brand. In addition to the new flagship brand logo, the name PostBus is now written with a capital "B".
2001 The Alpine Post routes are offered worldwide as "Route Express Lines".
2000 FlyCar: the FlyCar ran in 2000 in Ticino between Lugano and Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy. The service was withdrawn a few years later because of a lack of demand.
2000

PostBus is commissioned by the Stiftung Behindertentransport des Kantons Bern (Foundation for the transport of people with disabilities for Canton Berne) to operate two special vehicles in Thun under the brand name VivaCar.

PostBus Switzerland wins the WTO tender to operate the bus network in Liechtenstein for the next ten years.
1999 CityCar Martigny: the world's smallest Postbus, the two-seater, electric CityCar, was tested by PostBus and its partners under laboratory conditions in Martigny. The concept was discontinued following the test phase as the costs involved were too high.
1998 PostBus experiences its first taste of cantonal tenders and reinforces its position as a market leader in road-based regional transport in Switzerland.
1996 The revised Railways Act enters into force; the cantons are now responsible for regional transport.
1995 The PubliCar dial-a-ride system is introduced in Frauenfeld and Oron.
1995 16 regional PostBus centres are set up in preparation for the impending free market.
1992 The opening ceremony of the PostBus station in Chur takes place in 1992.  At that time, PostBus Switzerland Ltd did not yet exist: passenger transport services were still part of the District Postal Directorates.
1980 PostBus begins operating the city buses in Bellinzona.
1975 The PostBus holiday pass is introduced.
1971 All Postbuses and stops appear in Swiss Post yellow with a red band.
1970 The first female bus driver is appointed – in 1970 Claire Buner applied to Swiss Post for a job as a bus driver. She became the first woman to be accepted and received the necessary training. Starting in 1971, she worked on the Jonschwil-Uzwil route for around 20 years.
1969 The first articulated Postbus is brought into operation
1965 The first, modern, sheltered PostBus station is built above the platforms of the main railway station in Berne.
1961 The last horse-drawn mail coach is discontinued on the Avers-Juf route.
1959 The new PostBus operator vehicles receive a face-lift in ochre yellow. These vehicles previously sported the company colours of the respective owner.
1957 PostBus operates the first school routes.
1956 Ticket machines are installed in 150 Postbuses.
1954 32 new Type IIIa Alpine vans are commissioned; group transport and extra trips are now possible.
1949 PostBus takes over the licensed routes in Liechtenstein using its own vehicles.
1946 Opening of the Susten Pass and start of an era which includes the famous three and four-pass round trips which still remain favourites today.
1942 The Alpine Post routes remain out of operation in the run-up to the Second World War.
1935 The first cab-over-engine Postbus is commissioned.
1933 The first Postbuses with passenger trailers begin operation.
1931 Postbuses are fitted with diesel engines for the first time.
1928 Swiss Post commissions a snow blower for the first time to help ensure the smooth running of winter services over the Maloja Pass.
1927 Postbuses begin operating over the Flüela Pass and 39 mountain roads are designated mountainous postal routes.
1924 Routes switch systematically to motorized forms of transport; the company now employs 169 vehicles.
1923 The three-tone horn is heard for the first time on the mountain routes.
1921 The Alpine Post is founded. The Grimsel, Furka, Bernardino and Oberalp Passes are opened.
1919/20 40 army vehicles are converted into Postbuses: the bus company now owns 104 vehicles. As a result, the horse-drawn postal network has all but vanished by 1930.
1919 The Simplon Pass route is opened.
1906 The first scheduled motorized service between Berne and Detligen commences.
1849 Establishment of horse-drawn postal network.