Doors Open for Double Passenger Safety: BLS Upgrades Its Fleet
BLS takes passenger safety very seriously. By implementing full optical monitoring of the automatic doors on its RABe 535 “Lötschberger” trains, it ensures that passengers can board and disembark without unwanted physical contact with the door panels.
BLS AG is not just another railway company. In addition to rail transport, it operates bus and boat services, as well as an auto shuttle through the Lötschberg and Simplon tunnels, making it a comprehensive mobility provider. With a network spanning around 424 kilometres, BLS is Switzerland’s second-largest railway company and one of the country’s most important suburban train operators. Its network, centred around Bern, extends north to Solothurn, south to Domodossola, west to La Chaux-de-Fonds, and east to Lucerne. Each year, over 71 million passengers travel with BLS. In 2024, the company achieved a punctuality rate of 96.2%, positioning itself as one of Switzerland’s leading railway operators.
Automatic Doors as a Safety Risk
Ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers is a top priority for BLS. This applies particularly to boarding and disembarking through the automatic train doors. Rushed commuters, travellers with luggage, elderly passengers, people with disabilities, and children all need to enter and exit safely, making the flawless operation of automatic doors essential. If a door closes too early, there is a risk of someone getting trapped or objects such as bag straps, sports equipment, or dog leads becoming caught between the closing door panels. Additionally, if a last-minute passenger tries to squeeze through just before the doors lock, they must immediately reopen to prevent injuries such as bruises.
Full Coverage of the Door Opening with Light Curtains
BLS aims to eliminate these risks even in older train models. These trains are equipped with safety contact strips and an optical presence sensor. However, the reflection-based detection system did not fully cover the entire area, and the pressure sensors only activated the opening mechanism when the door panels were physically touched. For a company as safety-conscious as BLS, this was not sufficient. As a result, the decision was made to equip the automatic doors of older train models with an optical element that covers the entire risk area. Matthias Kunz, Head of Fleet Procurement and Rolling Stock Projects, explains: “Our plan was to equip the automatic doors with light curtains that cover the entire door opening and detect movement without physical contact.” The contract was put out to public tender, in line with BLS’s procurement principles.
A Tailor-Made Solution with DUOmetric from Bachofen
Bachofen entered the competition with its DUOmetric optical light curtain systems—and won. The product, developed by Bachofen’s technology partner, met the strict railway industry standards and also aligned with the budget expectations of BLS’s procurement team. Bachofen also stood out with additional advantages, including custom design adaptations of the light curtains for the boarding platforms and arm detection at the side entry handrail. In close collaboration with BLS’s door system specialists, Bachofen developed a seamless solution that integrates perfectly into the existing door frames. Thanks to its three-part structure, it ensures full protection with no gaps in the safety concept.
In addition to light curtains, BLS also sources components such as valves, relays, and sensors from Bachofen. What has connected the two companies for nearly 25 years is their shared belief that successful procurement projects rely on transparency, technical expertise, and a strong partnership.