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Good Practice Database

This database contains good practice examples on how the accessibility of public space and public transport can be improved, covering all categories of the ISEMOA Quality Management System.

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ISEMOA Good Practice Fact Sheet

Title in original language Funktionale Anforderungsprofile Schweiz (FAP)
Title in English Standards for accessible public transport - Switzerland
Location Switzerland
Year 2001 / 2006
Initiator Schweizerische Fachstelle für Behinderte und öffentlicher Verkehr
Developed by
(one pick only)
  • Administration / Political actor
  • PRM lobby group
  • Operator
Implementation Area
  • Region
  • Urban
  • Rural
Supported accessibility level
  • Micro accessibility
Elements of the working process - Preconditions
  • User needs
  • Legal / Administrative context
Elements of the working process - Policy
  • Policy on paper
Type of PRM Affected
  • Visual impaired
  • Motor impaired
  • Hearing impaired
  • Cognitive / Learning impaired
Application Field / Target area - Public Transport - City Bus
  • Vehicle
  • Stops / stations
  • Information
Application Field / Target area - Public Transport - Regional Bus
  • Vehicle
  • Stops / stations
  • Information
Application Field / Target area - Public Transport - Tram
  • Vehicle
  • Stops / stations
  • Information
Application Field / Target area - Public Transport - Light Rail
  • Vehicle
  • Stops / stations
  • Information
Application Field / Target area - Public Transport - Local Train
  • Vehicle
  • Stops / stations
  • Information
Application Field / Target area - Public Transport - Long Distance Train
  • Vehicle
  • Stops / stations
  • Information
Application Field / Target area - Public Transport - Ferry
  • Vehicle
  • Stops / stations
  • Information
Application Field / Target area - Public Transport - other
  • Name: Cable-car
  • Vehicle
  • Stops / stations
  • Information
Why is it a good practice example? Standards for accessible public transport (FAP) were developed together with all relevant actors (operators, people with disabilities, and administrative staff) in 2001. Since 2006 most of these standards are included in Swiss law and are therefore mandatory. Thus Switzerland was one of the first European countries to have mandatory standards for accessible public transport on a national level, which have been developed together with all relevant stakeholders.
Background and Objectives / Aims The preparation of the 'Funktionale Anforderungsprofile' (FAP) was initiated from the 'Schweizerische Fachstelle Behinderte und Öffentlicher Verkehr' (BÖV): A 'disability concept' was developed in 2001 together with the Swiss national railway company (SBB), which contained a first version of the FAP. A year later this work was extended to cover all means of public transport. The idea was to list, as comprehensive as possible, which requirements and elements are needed for an accessible (and feasible) public transport. The aim was on the one hand to allow people with disabilities to use all means of public transport in Switzerland, and on the other hand to achieve/create legal certainty for industry (e.g. vehicle manufacturers) and public transport operators.
Implementation (incl. obstacles, public participation) The preparation of the FAP has lasted about one year: The representatives of the Association of Public Transport (VöV), the Federal Ministry of Transport (BAV), interested public transport operators, and the Swiss Institute for people with disabilities and public transport (Schweizerische Fachstelle Behinderte und Öffentlicher Verkehr BÖV) worked together with a view to the forthcoming legislation (non-discrimination act regarding people with disabilities: BehiG) and adopted the FAP in the year 2002/03.

The FAP are structured according to the transport means:
-Bus and Tram (infrastructure and vehicles)
-Railway (a separate chapter for vehicles and stops)
-Cable-cars (infrastructure and vehicles)
-Ship and boats (infrastructure and vehicles)

The FAP are accepted by all relevant stakeholder groups (disabled people's organisations, transport operators, administrative authorities, industry (e.g. vehicle manufacturers...), because all these groups have been involved in the development of these standards, and also because these standards are quite practical (i.e. technically and economically feasible).

The FAP do have legally only the status of 'recommendations'. However, in 2006 the FAP formed the basis for a new law: The 'Regulation of the UVEK about the technical requirements for the accessibility of public transport (VAböV)' regulates general requirements applicable to all modes of transport (such as passenger information / communications, ticket vending machines, validator, disabled parking, emergency call systems, door switches, etc.), and also the specific requirements for bus / trolley and cable cars. The specific requirements for railway and tram are regulated in another law (execution rules for railroad regulation in the AB-EBV), which has also been revised based on the FAP in 2006. However, since the proven FAP have not been fully taken up in the legal regulations, the FAP remain still an important (non mandatory) standard, which goes beyond the legal provisions and specifies many requirements much more in detail as is done in the law.

The FAP are scheduled for 'update on demand'. However, it has turned out that up to now no significant gaps or omissions have occurred, rather only interpretive differences. A certain amount of updating has also taken place in the adoption of legal regulations (VAböV, AB-EBV) in 2006.
Conclusions (incl. output, analysis of benefits) The FAP provides a comprehensive list of requirements on all aspects (vehicles, stations, information / communication, automation, sanitary equipment, ...) of barrier-free public transport. Special needs of people with different disabilities (visual impairment, hearing impairment, motor disability) were included in the FAP. However, the special needs of people with other mobility restrictions (e.g. buggy, heavy / bulky luggage, limited knowledge of the language, etc.) are not discussed in the FAP .
Source / Link http://www.boev.ch/index.php?id=60 (information in German, French and Italian language about the Swiss Standards for accessible public transport)
Pictures (4 KB)