Locarno-Cadenazzo railway maintenance works, replacement buses in March 2026

Context

TL;DR

• Major maintenance work on Locarno-Cadenazzo railway line in March 2026.
• Trains replaced by buses between Locarno and Cadenazzo during work periods.
• Travel times expected to increase by 15-20% due to bus replacements.
• Budget of CHF 12 million allocated for the maintenance work.

Key facts

• Work Periods: March 6-9 and March 20-23, 2026.
• Affected Trains: TILO RE80, S20, IR 26/46, and InterCity (IC).
• Replacement Service: Buses between Locarno and Cadenazzo.
• Budget: CHF 12 million allocated by the Federal Council in 2023.
• Daily Commuters: Around 14,000 people commute daily in Ticino, many using the Locarno-Cadenazzo line.
• Travel Time Increase: Estimated 15-20% increase in travel time due to bus replacements.
• Bicycle Transport: Limited spaces (2-3 bicycles per bus); advance planning advised.
• Assistance for Disabilities: Contact FFS customer service for boarding and alighting assistance.

The Canton of Ticino is preparing for major maintenance work on the railway line between Locarno and Cadenazzo, with consequent changes to public transport that will affect commuters, cross-border workers, and local travelers. From 11:10 PM on Friday, March 6, to 4:50 AM on Monday, March 9, and from 11:10 PM on Friday, March 20, to 4:50 AM on Monday, March 23, 2026, all TILO RE80, S20, IR 26/46, and InterCity (IC) train connections to and from Locarno will be replaced by buses between Locarno and Cadenazzo. This measure is necessary to allow maintenance work on the line, essential to ensure the safety and reliability of the service in the future, as established by the FFS (Swiss Federal Railways) regulations on railway safety, updated in 2022.

The changes will particularly affect those who work in the Ticino region or make cross-border journeys, given the importance of the line for connections between the Locarno region, the Bellinzona region, and the rest of the canton. The replacement buses will depart with earlier timetables than the train schedules to ensure connections at Cadenazzo with trains to Bellinzona and Lugano. For example, someone taking the RE80 train at 7:04 AM from Locarno to Lugano will need to take the replacement bus at 6:30 AM to catch the 7:23 AM train to Lugano at Cadenazzo, arriving about 20 minutes later than the usual train schedule. It is necessary to expect longer travel times compared to rail travel, with an estimated 15-20% increase in travel time.

Those who use the train daily to commute to work from Mendrisio or Gaggiolo may experience delays and inconvenience, with potential repercussions on commuting. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (UST) in 2020, around 14,000 people commute daily to work between the Canton of Ticino and other regions, and a significant proportion of these use the Locarno-Cadenazzo railway line.

The replacement bus service will also operate during the weekends affected, an element to consider especially for those who use their free time to travel in Ticino or Lombardy. For those traveling with bicycles, it is possible to transport them on the buses, but with limited spaces (maximum 2-3 bicycles per bus); it is therefore advisable to plan ahead and check the timetables and availability. People with disabilities can contact the FFS customer service to arrange assistance for boarding and alighting from the buses, using the dedicated numbers available from 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM.

To facilitate planning, it is possible to follow these guidelines:

• Check the timetables of the replacement buses on the TILO or FFS website
• Plan journeys in advance, considering longer travel times
• Contact FFS customer service for specific assistance, such as for travel with bicycles or special needs.

The maintenance work is financed with a budget of 12 million Swiss francs, as allocated by the Federal Council in 2023, and is essential to ensure the safety and reliability of the railway line in the long term.

Operational details

From a regulatory and organizational perspective, the planned work falls within the interventions planned by the Department of Infrastructure of the Canton of Ticino in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Railways (FFS), as established in the investment plan approved in 2020 with a budget of CHF 120 million. The two periods of work - March 6-9 and March 20-23, 2026 - are designed to minimize the impact on daily activities, focusing especially on weekends and nighttime hours. The goal is to update the railway line, improving its safety and transport capacity, and preventing breakdowns or interruptions in the future, in line with the provisions of the Federal Ordinance on the Safety of Railway Infrastructure (OSIF) of November 1, 2022.

Changes to the timetables of the replacement buses are based on a detailed calendar that can be consulted online on the FFS website and through the FFS Mobile app, essential tools for monitoring timetables in real-time and planning journeys. For example, commuters using the Locarno-Cadenazzo route will be able to check the updated timetables of the replacement buses that will take them to their destination with a maximum delay of 30 minutes compared to the usual train schedule. Those who prefer assistance can contact the FFS Rail Service, available for calls from the Swiss fixed network (CHF 0.08/min) and from abroad, with specific numbers for each type of information.

From an economic perspective, these works may affect the travel times of Italian cross-border commuters, often employed in Ticino companies such as SUPSI, USI, EOC, or cantonal offices. For example, a worker who normally takes 45 minutes to travel from Chiasso to Lugano may face an increase in travel time of around 20 minutes due to the replacement buses. Increases in travel times may be reflected in working hours and flexibility, with potential needs for reorganization. Companies and workers are therefore invited to communicate promptly to avoid inconvenience, also by resorting to flexible or smart working arrangements, as provided for in the Framework Agreement on Commuting between Switzerland and Italy of 2018.

For commuters, especially those who travel on the Brogeda-Chiasso-Mendrisio-Locarno route, it is essential to consider the use of digital planning tools, update personal calendars, and check connections to avoid delays. An operational checklist could include:

• Checking the timetables of the replacement buses on the FFS website or FFS Mobile app by February 28, 2026
• Planning journeys in advance to avoid delays
• Considering alternatives such as remote work on the most intense working days.

This maintenance represents a necessary step for a reliable transport system, a crucial element for the Ticino economy and cross-border transit. With an investment of CHF 120 million, the Canton of Ticino is ensuring an updated and safe railway infrastructure, ready to support the region's mobility needs.

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Key points

For those who live and work at the Italian-Swiss border, communication and preparation are essential to cope with the inconvenience related to the work on the Locarno-Cadenazzo railway line planned for March 2026. Here are some practical tips for cross-border commuters and daily travelers to the Canton of Ticino to work in strategic sectors such as finance, healthcare, or university.

1. Regularly check the FFS online timetable and download the FFS Mobile app for real-time updates. For example, according to the latest available data, the work is expected to cause average delays of around 15-20 minutes on regional trains during peak hours. 2. Check connections at Cadenazzo, taking into account that replacement buses depart with earlier timetables to respect connections with other trains. For those coming from Locarno, it is advisable to arrive at least 10 minutes before the station to avoid missing the connection. 3. If traveling with a bicycle, book in advance given the limited availability on replacement buses. Booking can be made by calling the dedicated number at least 24 hours before departure. 4. For those with mobility assistance needs, contact the dedicated toll-free number at least one hour before departure to ensure that the service is available. 5. Consider, if possible, flexible working arrangements, such as telecommuting, during the indicated periods. According to the Ordinance on the Federal Law on Labor of August 18, 2020, companies can agree with employees on flexible working arrangements, such as telecommuting, to facilitate the management of transport times.

These measures can help reduce daily inconvenience and maintain work productivity. For example, a cross-border commuter working in Lugano and traveling from Como could save up to 2 hours of weekly time by working remotely one day a week.

To deepen the calculation of your net salary considering transport times and related costs, it is advisable to use our salary calculator available on Frontaliere Ticino. For example, by entering an annual gross income of 80,000 Swiss francs, an average daily commute time of 45 minutes, and a monthly transport cost of 150 francs, you can obtain a precise estimate of your effective net salary.

Additionally, for those who need information on work permits, health insurance, or cross-border taxation, dedicated tools can be found on our portal. For example, according to Swiss regulations, cross-border commuters can deduct up to 3,000 francs per year for transport expenses.

The temporary measures in March 2026 on the Locarno-Cadenazzo line, although a source of some inconvenience, are an investment in the safety and efficiency of regional transport in Ticino, a key element for the well-being and competitiveness of the canton in the cross-border economy.