No need for ÖBB

Swiss Railways replaces Russian software

The exchange is expected to cost SBB the equivalent of a good million euros.(Bild: AFP/Fabrice COFFRINI)

Swiss Railways (SBB) is to replace special software for its train positioning system, which comes from the Russian provider Infotrans. The sanctions imposed on Russia due to the Kremlin's war against Ukraine also play a role here.

The software is used to record any changes in the condition of the rails and is used on special vehicles. According to SBB, the data collected does not go to Infotrans servers or servers in Russia. The data is very specific and can only be used for the maintenance of the rail network. The fact that the Russian software is still in use requires an exceptional permit from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.

Expensive swap
According to the Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA, the swap will cost SBB the equivalent of a good million euros. However, the Swiss railroad company had already made plans to become independent of the software supplier from Russia in spring 2022, before the Russian sanctions came into force.

Not in use in this country
The Austrian Federal Railways have no need to do so: "We do not use any software of this kind," said an ÖBB company spokesperson.