Swiss court demands better train access for passengers with disabilities

A Swiss court has ruled in favor of better train access for passengers with reduced mobility. The Federal Administrative Court upheld an appeal by Inclusio Handicap over the use of double-decker Dosto trains. The decision highlights gaps in how accessibility was assessed for these trains.

The case centered on whether Dosto trains meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities. Inclusio Handicap argued that the current design creates barriers for boarding and alighting. The court agreed that the Federal Office of Transport's expert report had serious limitations.

The report tested access using a standard wheelchair and non-disabled participants. It also focused only on paraplegics, ignoring other mobility impairments. As a result, the findings did not reflect real-world challenges faced by many passengers.

The judges ruled that at least one carriage per train must be reviewed for feasible and proportional adjustments. They noted that the report left key questions unanswered. Despite the January 2026 decision, there is no evidence yet that the ruling has influenced planning or technical changes for other modern train types in Europe.

The court's decision requires a fresh assessment of Dosto train accessibility. The ruling specifically calls for a broader evaluation of boarding and alighting areas. So far, no wider impact on European rail operators or manufacturers has been observed.