When it comes to public transport safety, a clear and agreed line is drawn between the responsibilities of the FOT (as the supervisory authority) and those of the various public transport operators. This demarcation also remains consistent, irrespective of whether the transport concerned is by rail, bus, boat or cable car: the only differences that may occur are due to the specific technologies used.
The demarcation of safety responsibilities between the FOT and a rail operator can perhaps best be illustrated by the following examples:
Rolling stock
Operations
Infrastructure
Personnel
| Rail operator | Phase | FOT |
|---|---|---|
| The operator must ensure that all current legal provisions are consistently observed. With rolling stock, this relates in particular to the provisions on the operation and maintenance of the locomotives, coaches and wagons concerned. | Normative | The FOT frequently revises the corresponding provisions in the light of the latest technological developments, and with due regard to any newly-identified risks. |
| The operator must present all the proof of safety required to certificate the deployment and operation of new rolling stock. The operator must also issue internal regulations to ensure that its rolling stock is serviced and maintained in accordance with the instructions of the original equipment manufacturer. | Preventive | The FOT certificates new rolling stock following due evaluation thereof, and also issues any operating licences required. |
| The operator is required to monitor and maintain the rolling stock it uses and keep documentary records of the work required. Should any malfunctions occur through the operation of its rolling stock, these must be constantly evaluated to ensure that any preventive actions required can be ordered in the corresponding provisions. | Operating | As part of its safety monitoring mandate, the FOT determines whether the operator's safety organisation is adequately able to implement the applicable provisions and ensure the safety of its public transport services. |
| Rail operator | Phase | FOT |
|---|---|---|
| The operator must ensure that all current legal provisions are consistently observed. They must also constantly make any modifications required to their internal operating regulations in the light thereof, and ensure that their safety personnel are kept permanently abreast of the latest safety developments. | Normative | The FOT issues the Rail Operating Regulations (RARs) applicable to all rail operators. |
| The operator uses the Rail Operating Regulations issued by the FOT to issue the internal operating regulations applicable to its own operations. | Preventive | The FOT approves any deviations from its Rail Operating Regulations requested by an individual rail operator. |
| The operator conducts its rail operations in compliance with the applicable provisions, and performs a series of internal audits and checks to verify such compliance. The operator also maintains documentary records of this work, and of any operating irregularities or malfunctions dete | Operating |
As part of its safety monitoring mandate, the FOT determines whether the operator's safety organisation is adequately able to implement the applicable provisions and ensure the safety of its public transport services. |
| Rail operator | Phase | FOT |
|---|---|---|
| The operator must ensure that all current legal provisions are consistently observed. In infrastructural terms, this relates in particular to the provisions on the operation and maintenance of its track, catenary and further installations. | Normative | The FOT constantly revises the corresponding provisions - such as the Railways Ordinance Implementation Provisions - in the light of the latest technological developments, and with due regard to any newly-identified risks. |
| The operator must present all the proof of safety required to certificate and approve the use of the infrastructure concerned. The operator must also issue internal regulations to ensure that its infrastructure is maintained in accordance with the instructions of the original equipment manufacturer. | Preventive | The FOT certificates new infrastructure following due evaluation thereof, and also issues any operating licences required. |
| The operator is required to monitor and maintain its infrastructure and keep documentary records of the work required. Should any malfunctions occur through the operation of its infrastructure, these must be constantly evaluated to ensure that any preventive actions required can be ordered in the corresponding provisions. | Operating |
As part of its safety monitoring mandate, the FOT determines whether the operator's safety organisation is adequately able to implement the applicable provisions and ensure the safety of its public transport services. |
| Rail operator | Phase | FOT |
|---|---|---|
| The operator must ensure that all current legal provisions are consistently observed. In terms of its personnel with safety-relevant functions, this relates in particular to the provisions on the training and examinations of the employees concerned. | Normative | The FOT devises the guidelines and regulations required to authorise personnel with safety-relevant functions, such as the Ordinance on Railway Safety Activities and the Employment Act. |
| The operator trains the personnel required and conducts the requisite examinations (or has these conducted by external specialists). | Preventive | The FOT designates the examination specialists and issues the requisite certificates at the operators' request. |
| The operator deploys its personnel, issues the necessary instructions and checks to ensure that these are duly carried out. It also sets periodic examinations for its personnel and maintains the requisite documentary records thereof. | Operating |
As part of its safety monitoring mandate, the FOT determines whether the operator's safety organisation is adequately able to implement the applicable provisions and ensure the safety of its public transport services. |
Amendments to safety regulations
Incident reports, the results of audits and operating inspections and the findings from preventive checks are all systematically evaluated and form the basis for improvements to the applicable safety regulations and standards.
The FOT thus continually updates its public transport safety standards in line with increasingly stringent requirements to ensure the public transport safety for which Switzerland is renowned. The same rules apply without exception to all operators and organisations involved in the country's public transport system. Any other approach would not only jeopardise safety; it would also distort the competition among the various public transport providers.
