The Swiss rail network is noteworthy for its density, its coordination between services, its integration with other modes of transport, timeliness and a thriving domestic and trans-alp freight system. This is made necessary by strong regulations on truck transport, and is enabled by properly coordinated intermodal logistics.

In 2015, with 5,323 kilometres (3,308 mi) network length, Switzerland has not only the world's most dense railway network (except for very small countries and city-states), but it is also world leader of kilometres traveled: 2,449 km (1,522 mi) per inhabitant and year. Virtually 100 % of its network is electrified, except for the few tracks on which only steam locomotives operate for touristic purposes. There are 62 railway companies in Switzerland. Share of commuters who travel to work using public transport (as main mode of transport) is 30 %. Share of rail in goods transport performance by road and rail (modal split) is 39 %.

Switzerland is a member of the International Union of Railways (UIC). The UIC Country Code for Switzerland is 85.

Three quarters of the Swiss rail network is at standard gauge, comprising 3,773 km (2,344.4 mi), administered mostly by three companies. Important railway stations are the Zürich HB (441,400 passengers per day on a working day), Bern (202,600 ppd), Basel SBB (112,900 ppd), Lausanne (107,100 ppd), Winterthur (105,200 ppd), Luzern (91,800 ppd), Zürich Oerlikon (84,500 ppd), Zürich Stadelhofen (81,100 ppd), Olten (78,100 ppd), and Geneva (70,700 ppd).

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS) is the largest railway company in Switzerland and handles the majority of national and international traffic. It operates the main east-west track in the Swiss Plateau area calling all larger Swiss cities and many smaller ones, and the north-south routes through the Alps via the Gotthard Line (Milano-Chiasso-Lugano-Luzern/Zurich-Basel line) and the Simplon Tunnel (Domodossola to Brig-Lausanne-Geneva line).

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Wikipedia