In 2009, PostBus consolidated its position as the leading bus company in the Swiss public transport sector. The Swiss Post Group unit posted a 2.9% increase in the number of passengers to 118 million. The amount of kilometres travelled increased by 3.7 million kilometres. PostBus lifted its sales figure by CHF 36 million over 2008 to a record CHF 640 million, an increase of 6%. Despite the economic crisis, it matched the 2008 profit figure of CHF 27 million. This was the twelfth consecutive year in which it generated a positive result. PostBus also created 245 new jobs.

PostBus continued along its growth path in 2009, despite the difficult economic environment. The number of passengers carried in Switzerland rose from 114.7 to 118 million (+2.9%). The amount of kilometres travelled increased by 3.7 million to an annual performance of 98.3 million kilometres. The Group unit of Swiss Post generated a record sales figure of CHF 640 million. This represents an increase of CHF 36 million (+6 %) compared with the previous year. The operating result (EBIT) of PostBus, including the subsidiaries in France and the Principality of Liechtenstein, came to CHF 27 million as in 2008. PostBus thus generated a profit for the twelfth consecutive year. Traffic revenue in Switzerland was up by 1.6% to CHF 166.2 million. PostBus still generates the lion’s share of its sales (92.7%) in Switzerland. The proportion of business in France was lifted to 4.3% (+1.7 percentage points) compared with the previous year.

Record sales in Switzerland

Last year, PostBus increased its sales in Switzerland again to a new peak of CHF 594 million, i.e. CHF 23 million (+4%) more than in the previous year. This increase exceeds the average annual growth of the past five years and is also around 2% above the market growth figure. Owing to additional services and the related rise in headcount, staff costs also went up by 6.9% to CHF 301 million. Part of this increase in costs was offset by lower employee benefit expenses. Vehicle expenses were characterised by lower fuel prices compared with 2008. The weak economic situation could make itself felt as of 2011 if the commissioning parties decide to make fewer financial resources available for public transport.

Expansion in France

PostBus lifted its international sales substantially in 2009. Compared with 2008 they increased by CHF 12.1 million (+36%) to a total of CHF 45.8 million. The increase was achieved primarily by stepping up business in France in the regional transport segment and expanding a number of city bus routes. In the Principality of Liechtenstein, PostBus achieved a marginal increase in sales.

245 new jobs

PostBus guarantees nationwide provision of regional transport services on behalf of the cantons and the Confederation, which stipulate the level of regional public transport services offered. The average headcount increased significantly in 2009. Overall, PostBus employs 3,522 people (+9.1%), corresponding to around 3,140 full-time positions (+245 jobs or 8.5%, respectively) in Switzerland and abroad. PostBus itself employs 2,070 people. It also provides 1,452 jobs through the 215 PostBus operators. As PostBus partners, these local companies accounted for around 64% of the 98.3 million kilometres travelled in Switzerland in 2009. The jobs were spread among no fewer than 23 cantons. This underscores the economic importance of PostBus in Switzerland, not only for the provision of local public transport services but also as an employer. Moreover, PostBus services also play an important role in carrying people to major train and bus routes – and thus in creating additional jobs.

PostBus key figures

Performance data Switzerland	Unit	2009	2008	Change in percent
Passengers	Millions	118.0	114.7	+2.9
Annual performance	Millions of km	98.3	94.6	+3.9
Passenger km	Millions of km	763.8	738.8	+3.4
Routes	Number	783	761	+2.9
Network length	km	10429	10345	+0.8

Human resources	Unit	2009 Annual average	2008 Annual average	Change in percent
PostBus in Switzerland	FTEs	1397.4	1332.6	+4.9
PostBus abroad	FTEs	339.0	237.0	+43.0
Drivers PostBus operators	FTEs	1404.3	1326.1	+5.9
Total	FTEs	3140.7	2895.7	+8.5
PostBus in Switzerland	Persons	1719	1617	+6.3
PostBus abroad	Persons	351	247	+42.1
Drivers PostBus operators	Persons	1452	1365	+6.4
Total	Persons	3522	3229	+9.1

FTE = full-time equivalents

Jobs per canton	Unit	2009 Annual average	2008 Annual average	Change in FTEs
Aargau	FTEs	337.4	317.6	+19.8
Appenzell Ausserrhoden	FTEs	37.8	37.5	+0.3
Appenzell Innerrhoden	FTEs	0	1.0	-1.0
Basel-Landschaft	FTEs	82.6	74.5	+8.1
Basel-Stadt	FTEs	32.7	28.1	+4.6
Berne	FTEs	380.9	340.3	+40.6
Fribourg	FTEs	2.5	2.0	+0.5
Geneva	FTEs	0	0	0
Glarus	FTEs	6.0	6.1	-0.1
Graubünden	FTEs	325.4	311.8	+13.6
Jura	FTEs	76.7	69.0	+7.7
Lucerne	FTEs	81.8	76.6	+5.2
Neuchâtel	FTEs	24.8	23.8	+1.0
Nidwalden	FTEs	23.5	23.2	+0.3
Obwalden	FTEs	16.1	14.9	+1.2
St. Gallen	FTEs	152.8	151.8	+1.0
Schaffhausen	FTEs	6.0	6.0	0
Solothurn	FTEs	89.1	92.1	-3.0
Schwyz	FTEs	44.8	43.8	+1.0
Ticino	FTEs	250.9	238.7	+12.2
Thurgau	FTEs	121.4	117.1	+4.3
Uri	FTEs	5.8	5.5	+0.3
Vaud	FTEs	195.7	195.6	+0.1
Valais	FTEs	267.5	255.0	+12.5
Zug	FTEs	0	1.4	-1.4
Zurich	FTEs	239.7	225.5	+14.2
Total	FTEs	2801.7	2658.7	+143.0