Timetable data
The basis of public transport is the timetable, which is planned annually and updated continuously.
The timetable contains all the information needed to show the (planned) public transport in Switzerland. The timetable contains all basic information (stops, lines, topology, etc.) and all time-relevant information (stops, calendar, journey times, etc.) so that any form of timetable information (for a stop but also, for example, for a routing) can be generated on the basis of this data.
Data and interfaces
As the timetable changes annually and we don’t want to overfill our data platform, you can retrieve the old, archived timetable data here: https://archive.opentransportdata.swiss/
The timetable data for all formats changes every year.
Contains the draft timetable for the following year.
These datasets contain the service plans for on-demand services.
The timetable data for all formats changes every year.
Additional details
In Switzerland, the Customer Information System Tasks (SKI) is responsible for collecting, consolidating and publishing timetable data as part of customer information (see also https://www.oev-info.ch/). It does this centrally for public transport in the whole of Switzerland.
Deployment & Formats
The data provides the most important aspects of a timetable for the current and next (draft) timetable year. In other words, which means of transport with which characteristics are running on which routes at which times on which days. For example, the IC5 train (means of transport and line) on which bicycles are permitted (property) departs from the Zürich HB stop every Monday at 12 noon (when) (which location). They are based on the INFO+ source system, which is also the Mode of transport defined. We use the Swiss standard to identify individual journeys Swiss Journey ID (SJYID).
We provide the data in three formats:
- GTFS: International, simple and open format.
- HRDF: Compact, established and proprietary format (Hafas).
- NeTEx: Comprehensive, European open data format.
Tip: You can find a detailed comparison of the formats in the recording of our Meetup ‘Check timetable data‘ of 22 May 2025.
In addition to traditional scheduled services, we integrate:
- Additional networks: Timetable data from Long-distance buses and Cable cars and chairlifts (note system-related detection limits).
- On-demand services: Services on demand and possibly shared with other passengers (e.g. door-to-door from PubliCar Appenzell), also available as NeTEx, GTFS and HRDF.
Explanation of terms
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Journey | A journey is the transport of customers along a specific route, a specific timetable connection, with a specific transport journey, at a specific time, in a specific direction. Journeys can be used for planning, forecast and actual data. They also have varying levels of detail depending on the purpose for which the data is being compiled. In the context of open data, we usually refer to a journey description close to customer information (KI). Synonyms: run, course |
| Journey – Fahrt-ID | Is the identification of a journey. For technical purposes, it consists of the following information: Journey number, concession holder (=responsible) transport company and validity. The reference for a journey. |
| Journey – Direction | E.g. H (outward) and R (backward). In addition: the geographical definition of the (intermediate) destination of the journey. |
| Journey – Cancellation | A cancellation is a failure to carry out a specified journey for a specific validity. Partial cancellations are also possible. Train cancellations may be planned or may only become necessary during the journey. |
| Journey – Arrangement | In addition to the planned journeys, an additional journey may also be arranged.
It is therefore a planning measure to confirm and communicate the execution of a prepared journey both operationally and commercially. |
| Timetable year | In the public transport sector, timetable years are used. This usually lasts one year and always starts on the Sunday following the second Saturday in December. For this reason, a timetable year is not always of the same length. From a technical point of view, in order to do justice to this variability, it is always assumed to be 400 days for a timetable year, for example in the case of bitwise coding. A timetable year is 52 or 53 weeks long. The list of upcoming timetable changes can be found at öv-info.ch. |
| Operating day | An operating day is a single day (date) on which a trThe operating day is a single day (date) on which a scheduled journey runs to the first geographical (commercial) point. The number of all operating days within a timetable period corresponds to the transport period of the train. |
| Annual timetable / standard timetable / basic timetable | These are all synonymous terms used to communicate the stable services on the various journeys. |
| Period timetable | The period timetable divides the annual timetable into different segments (seasonal and/or per weekday) if the basic service offer is uniformly expanded/diluted. A period timetable is usually not directly related to construction work. |
| Rotation | A rotation refers to the time and route taken by a single vehicle. As a rule, the rotation starts when the vehicle leaves the depot/garage and ends when it enters again. The vehicle can also be parked in the meantime, in which case the rotation usually continues. However, the vehicle can also enter the depot/garage and exit again in the meantime. The rotation then stops or starts again. Depending on the company, it is the same rotation or two different rotations. The identification is as follows: There must not be two rotations with the same ID at the same time. The individual segments of a round trip from final stop to final stop are the journeys. A round trip therefore consists of an exit, several alternating journeys with turning times and an entrance. |
Further links
Frequency of runs in timetables
All timetable formats recognize frequent runs. There are different patterns here: Continuous operation (ski lifts, chairlifts) or basic frequency (e.g. cableways).
Draft timetable and further information
öV-Info provides additional information on Route tables, Draft timetable and Swiss Journey Identification (SJYID)
Timetable data Neighbouring countries
If you would like to receive data and services from Switzerland’s neighbouring countries, you can find more information here.