Switzerland : the world changes, the catering too

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14/01/2016

This is not a surprise. Even in Switzerland, attitudes and expectations of the customers regarding the catering sector have changed for several years. The new lifestyles in the fast food segment, in a railway station or nearby (less expensive) jeopardize the legendary Swiss minibars aboard trains. And also the jobs ... 

Expensive catering on board 

The mini bars have been managed for years on board Intercity and regional trains. In Europe, however, we no longer see them for many years on similar railway networks such as Belgium or the Netherlands. According the SBB, sales dropped by 40 % in the onboard minibars segment in recent years. There is no need to expatiate here on the Swiss consumer habits in the XXI century: the take-away concept with sandwich available at any time by the day, or warm croissants and coffee available in large and medium stations, are the attitudes of consumption of today. And all that for few CHF (or euros). That really is the essence of the problem. According some estimates, a family with four people has to pay up to 50 CHF (46.00 euros) for drinks and sandwiches on board, which is far too expensive even for a Swiss wage. A picnic and home prepared snacks represents only a fifth of that price, reports the association Pro Bahn Switzerland.

The station : new real estate recipes ? 

The other cause, given the above, is the proliferation of fast-food not only near the station but also within some medium-sized shops. Now the butcher's shops have also developed the garnished sandwich segment, and customers love it because they give more quality for few money. In stations, the old bar/restaurant with bad ambience and his relative quality, was replaced by sandwich shops and other catering outlets of all kinds (candy, ice cream). Others initiatives also reflect renewed societal priorities, for example with stores of fresh produces or even organic (natural orange juice ...). SBB rely heavily on these concepts to restore tone and life at stations, that too many people still consider it as a simple place of passage that must flee. Today stations are in the reconfiguration phase of their role, being called to become neighborhood centers market or shopping malls. In April 2014, an SBB press release wrote: « Gone are the days when stations were mere transit centers: they are now meeting places. This change also affects the passenger mode of consumption ».

The SEV union has protested precisely against this situation . For many years, he says, SBB have digged the grave of minibars by renting in their stations more and more places for various fast-food, which they have so far also partially exploited. This provided of course cash from the real estate operations, but at the same time the SBB Passenger Division must cover growing deficits of railway gastronomy, told a press release. 

Restore the catering

The consequence of this is the adaptation of the onboard catering by SBB for the future. A dedicated at-seat restaurant services in first class, and the take-away service in a restaurant car, will be developed and will gradually replace the minibar services by 2017. The number of restaurant cars would increase from 90 to 120 units by 2021, while in other railway networks in Europe they have been subjected to mass destructions. These cars will operate only on InterCity and international trains services. The swiss InterRegio lines, however, will see the removal of the minibar trolleys due to weak demand. In stations too, SBB will step back from the commercial surfaces of Segafredo, currently operated under franchise by the SBB subsidiary Elvetino. The commercial places will be leased back from mid-2016, which impacts on the employment of staff.

The association Pro Bahn Suisse welcomes the expansion of catering in trains with more dining cars and a dedicated at-seat catering services for first class passengers. « For these customers, it's really a good thing, » she said. Second class passengers, however, will be forced to leave their seat to go to the dining car, which is not always easy, especially at peak times where one may lose his place, or when the passenger is accompanied of baggage. The association asks maintaining a mini bar service during peak hours to avoid to move people within the train. 

Employment 

The SEV union called in a statement of 8 January, of the liability of the national company on the issue of employment of staff of the subsidiary Elvetino, and the measures which must be taken to contribute to their professional development. The union reminds that minibars provide employment to some 300 people. « Many of these people are active for years in this profession and they know the passengers, they are popular and are working with great commitment in trains » said Regula Bieri, union secretary responsible for the file. If minibars staff is rehired in the future in the dining cars, Elvetino has the duty to train the right people to these new tasks and provide them with the means for professional development. The SEV union also requires that companies that buy commercial surfaces in stations comply with the contractual provisions on the guarantee of employment and agree to negotiate, if they have do not yet, equivalent working collective agreements. There is no optimism about the right direction that this issue will take...

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