Train driver

You are an independent and responsible person and: 

• have completed an apprenticeship lasting at least 3 years (EFZ) or attained a school leaving certificate (or relevant equivalent level of recognition)
• are in good health and have good eyesight and hearing
• have German (C1), French (A1) and Italian (A1) language skills, accepted certificates: DELF/DELP, Celi, TELC or SPEEXX CEFR
• hold a category B driver's licence for road vehicles
• are willing to work irregular hours, including weekends
• are highly motivated 

And if you are already at home in the driver's cab, then your B100 or higher train driver's licence (narrow gauge or standard gauge with a valid supplementary sheet) is your entry ticket. Discover vacancies now: bls.ch/jobs

After training as a train driver for passenger traffic, you can add more variety to your everyday life with the Cargo module. This practical training lasts around three months. In the process, you'll be involved in safely driving freight trains, familiarising yourself with the vehicles and how they handle and learning the specifics of preparing a train.
You can also develop and progress in passenger traffic. Do you enjoy passing on your knowledge? Great! We need motivated practical trainers. Are you known for your organisational skills? Then you'll be welcomed with open arms in the scheduling team. Or would you like to manage staff? Then become one of our 15 team leaders for locomotive personnel.

The modular training programme lasts 12–18 months depending on the module and takes place on a full-time basis. An intensive time in which you learn the theory and practice of this responsible job. In the process, you'll also use e-learning modules, be prepared for real-life situations by professionals and will soon be involved in the day-to-day operations on the railway. Your practical trainer will support you.𠊍uring full-time training, you will receive a gross training salary of CHF 3,646 per month / CHF 47,400 per year. BLS also bears all of the training costs amounting to CHF 120,000. The rules stipulate that, in return, you commit yourself to working as a train driver for BLS for four years. We guarantee you a safe workplace in the BLS driver's cab.

After successful training, the annual salary is at least CHF 64,000 (for a full-time position), including a 13th month's salary and planned salary development. You'll reach the maximum salary of CHF 109,000 at the age of 40 and after six years of service as a train driver.

Once you have successfully completed your training, you can benefit from attractive employment conditions. Here are just a few of the advantages:

• The target annual working hours are 2,050 hours; on average, this means 41 hours per week (for a full-time position).
• Part-time work is possible at any time after completing the training programme.
• Right to purchase 5 or 10 additional days of holiday per year
• Maternity leave: 18 weeks on full pay with an entitlement to extend by a maximum of 6 months as unpaid holiday; or paternity leave: 10 days on full pay
• Attractive childcare allowances
• Allowances on top of salary: expenses allowance for meals away from home, night allowance and/or public holiday/Sunday allowance
• Free 2nd class GA travelcard and generous discounts for the whole family, international travel discounts and free tickets for connections abroad

We will be publishing the next training classes soon. It is best to subscribe to the job newsletter so that you are automatically informed when a new training programme is advertised. We look forward to meeting you!

Find out how Sohrab and other prospective train drivers experience their training here:

What your colleagues say:

Our train drivers take you into the heart of the action – experience first-hand what their day-to-day work involves.

Join us and become part of our strong team.