Stinky trains cause problems

FV Dosto train (c) Remontees

Swiss Federal Railways is battling a basic problem with a new set of trains – toilet smells.

And politicians are now getting involved. 

Long gone are the days when train toilets opened up directly onto the track. New systems carry their own treatment plant and on-board bio-reactors.

But it seems the bacteria that should break down the waste is being overworked on busy trains – leaving an unpleasant smell.

To fix the problem, the bacteria needs to be re-activated with an additive – and then given time to work. That means taking the train out of service. 

Green national MP, Marionna Schlatter says it's important public transport is attractive. 

More from Bitesize News

  • Geneva could foot the G7 bill

    Geneva fears it will be left with the security bill from a G7 summit just across the border in Évian, according to 24 heures.

  • US NGO discovers Swiss child abuse cases

    Switzerland relies too heavily on an American NGO to detect child sexual abuse online, raising questions about the country's ability to protect children on its own.

  • French singer banned by Paleo

    The Paléo Festival in Nyon says it will no longer invite French singer Patrick Bruel, after a former volunteer accused him of inappropriate behaviour.

  • Cars going uninspected

    The cantons are struggling to keep up with mandatory vehicle inspections, leaving more than 550,000 checks overdue nationwide.

  • War may lead to rent rises

    Rents may rise again, says the bank Raiffeisen.

  • Not a heatwave, yet

    Summer has arrived, with temperatures climbing past 30 over the long weekend. Basel reached 31 and Sion hit 32.4, but MeteoSwiss, says this does not yet count as an official heatwave.

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play