Chur's Railway Station Gets Major Accessibility Upgrades by November
Chur's railway station square is set for major accessibility upgrades starting this month. The work aims to bring the station in line with Switzerland's Disability Discrimination Act. Currently, many of its platforms and bus stops fail to meet legal requirements for barrier-free access.
The project will unfold in stages, with the first phase beginning on February 23. By the end of November, the station should offer full step-free boarding for passengers.
The first phase of construction will focus on the eastern section of the station. Platform renovations here will run from February 23 until mid-April. This initial work will prepare the site for further upgrades.
From April 19 to May 11, the platform edges for tracks 1 and 2 will be rebuilt. The changes will eliminate height differences, allowing passengers to board trains and buses without steps. During this three-week period, trains on the Arosa line will be replaced by buses to keep services running.
The Rhaetian Railway (RhB) has faced challenges in upgrading its stations. Of the 104 stations in its network, only 48 had been fully modernised by November 2023. Many locations sit on curves or steep slopes, making renovations more complex. The work at Chur aims to address these issues locally, ensuring compliance with national accessibility laws.
Once complete, the station's platforms and bus stops will allow seamless transfers for all passengers. The upgrades will cover both the railway platforms and the adjacent city bus stops, creating a fully accessible transport hub.
The project will wrap up by late November, bringing Chur's station into compliance with Swiss accessibility standards. Passengers on the Arosa line will experience temporary bus replacements during the second phase. The final result will provide step-free access across the station's key transport links.
