On 3-4 March 2026, the 56th meeting of the Passenger Assistance System for Seamless Access and Guidance for Everyone (PASSAGE) Expert Group took place in Bern, Switzerland, hosted by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) at Bern Wankdorf. The event brought together 27 accessibility experts from across Europe, including railway specialists, representatives of passenger organisations for persons with disabilities, and colleagues from International Rail Transport Committee (CIT) to share knowledge and share best practices on inclusive rail travel.
Strengthening collaboration on accessible rail transport
The meeting opened with a welcome session and introductions, followed by a presentation from SBB on the Swiss public transport system and the company’s long-standing work with organisations representing people with reduced mobility (PRM) and additional needs. This session highlighted Switzerland’s integrated approach to accessible mobility and inclusive transport services.
Participants were also updated on recent developments within UIC and PASSAGE activities for 2026, including progress on training initiatives and the PASSAGE visual database supporting accessibility knowledge sharing among members.
Experts also received updates on the PRM Assistance Booking Tool (PRM ABT), which includes new features and statistics presented by UIC, as well as gaining insight into European regulatory developments, notably the implementation of the European Accessibility Act and the EU Disability Card, presented with contributions from CIT.
An interactive session then gave PASSAGE members the chance to share recent accessibility developments within their respective companies, with the discussions highlighted ongoing efforts to improve passenger information, assistance services, and inclusive infrastructure.
The meeting also addressed accessibility specifications for new rolling stock, with contributions from SBB and other PASSAGE members. The conversation focused on how design standards and operational practices can ensure better accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility in future train fleets.
Technical visit to look at multimodal accessibility
On the second day, the participants took part in a technical visit from Bern to Zürich, including Zürich Main Station (Zürich Hauptbahnhof) and Zürich Airport, to observe accessibility solutions implemented across different transport settings and train types.
The visit offered practical insights into how SBB ensures multimodal accessibility, enabling seamless connections between rail services and other modes of transport in Switzerland.
UIC warmly thanks SBB for their excellent organisation and hospitality, which contributed to a productive and inspiring meeting.
The next meeting of the PASSAGE Expert Group will take place in London on 10–11 June 2026, kindly hosted by Eurostar. The meeting will continue the group’s work on advancing accessibility in rail transport, sharing best practices, and strengthening cooperation between railway companies, passenger organisations, and accessibility experts across the rail sector.
