Odyssey on the Eurocity to Milan
Train with 500 passengers stuck for hours in a tunnel on the Basel-Milan line. A two-hour delay and chaos on the SBB network: another difficult morning for commuters.
Contesto
A nightmarish morning for 500 passengers heading to Italy, many of whom are commuters or business travelers. The Eurocity EC 61, which departed from Basel bound for Milan, got stuck this morning around 7:15 AM inside the Murgenthal tunnel, on the strategic Ferrovia 2000 line between Mattstetten (BE) and Rothrist (SO). A technical fault, the nature of which was not immediately clear, immobilized the train for an endless amount of time, turning a routine journey into an odyssey. The blockage had a chain reaction effect on the entire north-south axis, one of Europe's busiest railway corridors and vital for the economy of Ticino and northern Italy. According to SBB spokesperson Fabienne Thommen, passengers had to wait for the arrival of a fire and rescue train, which then transported them to Bern, accumulating a total delay of about two hours. The incident forced the Swiss Federal Railways to divert other trains onto the line via Burgdorf and to turn back following trains, further congesting morning traffic. The situation only returned to normal after 9 AM, when the faulty train managed to restart on its own towards Olten for necessary checks.
Dettagli operativi
The Domino Effect on Cross-Border Connections Although the incident occurred in German-speaking Switzerland, its consequences are heavily felt all the way to the Chiasso border and beyond. The Basel-Milan axis is not just a tourist route but a fundamental artery for the transport of people and goods that fuels economic exchange between Switzerland and Italy. For cross-border workers, even those using regional TILO routes, a disruption of this magnitude on the main network means potential cascading delays, missed connections, and a general climate of uncertainty. The episode brings the vulnerability of a complex and highly stressed railway system back into the spotlight. Any failure, especially at critical points like base tunnels or high-speed lines, can paralyze circulation for hours. This event serves as a reminder: Swiss punctuality, while a national pride, is not invulnerable to technical unforeseen events that can have a direct impact on the workday of thousands of people. 📊 Impact on Morning Traffic: - Train involved: EC 61 (Basel - Milan) - Passengers on board: 500 - Accumulated delay: Approximately 2 hours - Interrupted section: Olten - Bern (Ferrovia 2000) - Resolution: Shortly after 9:00 AM
Punti chiave
How to Protect Yourself and What to Do in These Cases Faced with disruptions of this magnitude, information is the first line of defense. It is crucial to constantly monitor the SBB Mobile app or the official website for real-time updates on delays, cancellations, and alternative routes. When possible, promptly notifying your employer of the situation is good practice to justify any delays. 💡 Practical Tips: - Check your rights: In case of significant delays on international connections, passengers may be entitled to partial or full refunds. Always keep your ticket and inquire about SBB's policies. - Plan alternatives: Although not always easy, knowing alternative routes or having a backup plan can make a difference. - Evaluate the costs: Delays and unforeseen events are a component of commuting. These events highlight the importance of considering all factors, not just the travel pass, when calculating the real cost of your home-to-work journey. Lost time is a significant cost that impacts quality of life and the family budget. To get a complete picture of travel-related expenses, it can be useful to use specific tools. Our transport cost calculator allows you to accurately estimate the impact of commuting on your monthly budget, helping you make more informed decisions. Source: Tio.ch / ATS - 24.02.2026