Locarno-Cadenazzo railway maintenance works, replacement buses in March 2026 (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on

From 6 to 9 and 20 to 23 March 2026, replacement buses will substitute trains between Locarno and Cadenazzo. Longer travel times and changes to timetables for cross-border commuters.

Contesto

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 impo...

Dettagli operativi

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 trav...

Punti chiave

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...

Punti chiave

[{"q":"How will the train connections between Locarno and Cadenazzo work during the maintenance work?","a":"The TILO RE80, S20, IR 26/46 and InterCity (IC) train connections to and from Locarno will be replaced by buses between Locarno and Cadenazzo."},{"q":"How many Italian cross-border commuters travel daily for work through the Canton of Ticino and could be affected by maintenance work?","a":"Around 14,000 people travel daily for work between the Canton of Ticino and other regions (FSO 2020 data), with a significant proportion using the Locarno-Cadenazzo railway line."},{"q":"What are the ticket fares for replacement buses during the construction and are the same transport cards valid?","a":"During the two maintenance weekends, the replacement buses accept all TILO tickets, SwissPass cards and regional travelcards. The price of a single ticket is CHF 6.80 for the Locarno-Cadenazzo route, identical to the cost of the train. For those who have a monthly or annual subscription, the cost is already covered; No additional refund will be given."},{"q":"How can I arrange the transport of the bike during maintenance days and what is the maximum number of bikes per bus?","a":"The replacement buses allow the transport of 2-3 bicycles per vehicle; It is advisable to arrive at least 10 minutes before departure to ensure space. Reservations are not mandatory, but you can report them via the TILO app or at the SBB call centre. In case of full buses, the bike can be shipped with the local bike-sharing service in Bellinzona."},{"q":"What alternatives are there for commuters who have to reach Lugano from Locarno if the buses are full?","a":"If replacement buses are full, commuters can take the regional train from Bellinzona to Lugano, connecting with the RE80 service from Cadenazzo,...

Frequently Asked Questions
How will the train connections between Locarno and Cadenazzo work during the maintenance work?
The TILO RE80, S20, IR 26/46 and InterCity (IC) train connections to and from Locarno will be replaced by buses between Locarno and Cadenazzo.
How many Italian cross-border commuters travel daily for work through the Canton of Ticino and could be affected by maintenance work?
Around 14,000 people travel daily for work between the Canton of Ticino and other regions (FSO 2020 data), with a significant proportion using the Locarno-Cadenazzo railway line.
What are the ticket fares for replacement buses during the construction and are the same transport cards valid?
During the two maintenance weekends, the replacement buses accept all TILO tickets, SwissPass cards and regional travelcards. The price of a single ticket is CHF 6.80 for the Locarno-Cadenazzo route, identical to the cost of the train. For those who have a monthly or annual subscription, the cost is already covered; No additional refund will be given.
How can I arrange the transport of the bike during maintenance days and what is the maximum number of bikes per bus?
The replacement buses allow the transport of 2-3 bicycles per vehicle; It is advisable to arrive at least 10 minutes before departure to ensure space. Reservations are not mandatory, but you can report them via the TILO app or at the SBB call centre. In case of full buses, the bike can be shipped with the local bike-sharing service in Bellinzona.
What alternatives are there for commuters who have to reach Lugano from Locarno if the buses are full?
If replacement buses are full, commuters can take the regional train from Bellinzona to Lugano, connecting with the RE80 service from Cadenazzo, with an average delay of 15 minutes. An alternative is the car-pooling service organized by TicinoMobilità, which offers paid seats starting from CHF 4.50 per route. You can also use Lugano city bus 1 for the last stretch.

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