Switzerland

Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) began resuming passenger services from April 26, although international services remain on hold.

This included restarting services on:

  • IC1 Zurich - Geneva Airport: restarting services between Friborg and Geneva Airport
  • IR70 Lucerne - Zurich: restoration of the half-hourly service
  • IR75 Zurich - Weinfelden - Konstanz: service stepped up between Zurich and Kreuzlingen
  • IR17 Zurich - Olten - Bern: half-hourly service restored
  • ZVV S19 Dietikon - Effretikon - Dietikon: more trains operating
  • RE Annemasse - Geneva - Lausanne - Vevey/St-Maurice: half-hourly service between Geneva and Vevey/St-Maurice reinstated.

Regional operators also reintroduced their regular timetables from April 27.

Nevertheless, the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) has maintained its recommendation against unnecessary travel, especially leisure and tourist trips.

Germany

Long-distance services in Germany remain limited, but regional services have begun to return to normal.

Working with Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, DB Regio has increased the number of regional and S-Bahn services, with the regular timetable operating in West Franconia from April 20.

In Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and North Baden, services are scheduled return to normal from May 4. Passengers are still be required to maintain a 2m gap and wear face masks. Nearly all services in Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony and Bremen are also due to return to normal from May 4.

Restrictions on inter-regional services between Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and Poland have been extended until May 10.

Belgium

Infrastructure manager Infrabel and national operator SNCB are preparing to fully resume services from May 4, following the government introducing a step-by-step lifting of restrictions on movement.

SNCB will reintroduce its full train offer, including train length, to meet demand while still providing space for social distancing. This excludes a number of P train services to and from Brussels. Passengers have also been advised take their journeys during off-peak periods.

The Belgian government has made it mandatory for all passengers over 12-years-old to wear a face mask when on trains, platforms and stations, with police carrying out spot checks.

Norway

The Railway Directorate is in discussion with operators over the gradual reintroduction of services from the end of April, as schools and kindergartens begin to reopen.

Beyond Europe

The Kazakhstan government is planning to resume bus and rail services on May 12, including inter-city services. However, this is dependant on the situation in the country at that time.