100 years on the road
PostBus connects Central Switzerland

Various Postbus routes in Central Switzerland begin motor vehicle services.

Previously, each operator used their own corporate colours on their vehicles. PostBus operators are private companies that operate around half of the network on behalf of PostBus. Operations run by PostBus itself are known as municipal operations. Passengers do not notice the difference, as the vehicles and the drivers’ clothing have the same design. Since 1959, buses operated by private PostBus operators have also had the yellow livery.

On 8 May 1967, Treib-Seelisberg-Bahn (TSB) begins running a service from Seelisberg with a Ford Transit minibus to serve hotels and the lido. From 1981, this develops into scheduled PostBus connections between Seelisberg and Emmetten. Today, the concession is held by PostBus. In addition to hourly direct connections between Stans and Seelisberg, the TSB Postbus serves Beckenried every half hour in the morning. During the day, it provides excursion and transfer services on behalf of companies, hotels and clubs. The combined Postbus and excursion service becomes an important second source of income for TSB.

In 1970, TSB is granted a concession for school bus services between Seelisberg in the canton of Uri and the remote village of Emmetten in the canton of Nidwalden. Thanks to PostBus’s school bus services, families in remote villages and hamlets can also send their children to school without having to use a private vehicle.

All Postbuses and stops are decorated in Swiss Post yellow with a red bar. The post horn symbol remains highly recognizable to this day.

On 2 September 1980, the new Saurer RH 580-25 underfloor coach service is inaugurated. The vehicle marks the launch of radio technology on route 74, Sursee–Beromünster. This is the technology used between vehicles until the iPhone is introduced in around 2008. On board for the inaugural journey is Adolf Hüsler (in 2025 now chairman of the board of directors of PostBus operator SB Trans GmbH), along with his uncle August Hüsler and grandfather Alfred Hüsler (former mayor of the municipality of Rickenbach), both of whom were also PostBus operators.

From 1 January 1995, coach and transport operator Werner Zurkirchen serves the PostBus route from Malters to Schwarzenberg. The bus is stationed in Schwarzenberg to begin with. After a few years, however, the timetable is changed and the Postbus is stationed in Zurkirchen’s depot in Malters.

A double-decker bus begins operating on a trial basis on PostBus route 311 between Stans and Seelisberg. The double-decker era comes to an end twenty years later in 2017. From 1 June 1997, PostBus operator Thepra AG assumes responsibility for connections between Stans and Seelisberg.

As new buildings are constructed along PostBus route 272, tourism in the Napf region also gains momentum, bringing new passengers to the Postbus route, mainly in groups, but also hikers and other day trippers.

In 2014, Alfred Schär, former managing director of PostBus operator Autoverkehr Schangnau-Kemmeriboden AG steps down. He is succeeded by Walter Riesen, who continues to serve as managing director in 2025.

Thepra AG, based in Stans, has been a PostBus operator in the canton of Nidwalden for many years. In 2016, Lucerne’s city transport company VBL purchases Thepra AG from its owners, a married couple, and continues to operate it as an independent company. Since December 2020, PostBus has operated the routes in the canton of Nidwalden independently.

PostBus operator Zurkirchen AG inaugurates a new depot for its coaches and two Postbuses.

For decades, PostBus manages to set a new record each year. At over 155 million, the number of passengers reaches its peak in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic causes a decline for the first time.

From March, the coronavirus pandemic has a major impact on public transport. The Swiss public transport system reduces the timetable for several weeks: the fastest timetable alteration on record. The pandemic leads to lower passenger numbers for two years. From 1 June 2020, responsibility for PostBus route 241 Schüpfheim–Sörenberg, served by PostBus operator Schnider Bus GmbH, Schüpfheim, is assumed by PostBus operator Amstein Bus AG, Willisau. Former PostBus operators Gabi and Toni Schnider continue to work for PostBus as drivers.

Since the 2020 pandemic, passenger numbers rise steadily on almost all routes, and timetables are continuously expanded.

Over the coming years, the vehicle fleet is gradually being converted to electric Postbuses with electric battery drive systems. Experience history up close and discover various tips for excursions on Postbus routes in Central Switzerland.