KONE has secured a significant maintenance contract from Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). As part of a new tender for the maintenance services of SBB's approximately 1,200 transport and conveying systems, KONE has been awarded the contract for the maintenance of around 700 lifts and escalators, which corresponds to 60 per cent of the total inventory.
The scope of this contract represents a significant expansion, as KONE was responsible for 30 per cent of these systems in the previous tender. SBB's decision underscores the relevance of reliable and barrier-free passenger mobility within its extensive network of railway stations, administrative buildings, and infrastructure facilities.
The digital service concept implemented by KONE aims to maximise system availability. This is particularly important for people with reduced mobility, for whom functioning lifts and escalators are a basic prerequisite for independent use of public transport. High availability of systems is therefore a central factor for accessibility and not merely a comfort feature.
KONE addresses these requirements through a consistently digitised approach. The system-critical facilities are fully networked and monitored in real time. The use of 24/7 Connected Service, based on sensor data, enables the early identification of potential faults and proactive interventions before breakdowns occur. This approach leads to a reduction in downtime, an optimisation of maintenance operations, and a sustainable reduction in CO2 emissions and operating costs.
It is noteworthy that a large proportion of the systems to be maintained by KONE – approximately two-thirds of the 700 units – were originally manufactured by other companies. KONE specialised early on in the maintenance and modernisation of third-party equipment. To ensure this expertise, the KONE Academy was established in Hanover, where employees receive comprehensive training on lifts and escalators of various makes.
SBB's tender covered all 1,200 systems individually, with around 250 of them considered operationally critical. Alexander Vitt, Managing Director of KONE DACH, stated that the company was pleased to be able to support SBB in developing a modern, inclusive, and sustainable mobility infrastructure. He emphasised that the major contract confirmed the correctness of the company's strategy, which includes the further development of core competence in the maintenance and modernisation of third-party equipment, as well as consistent growth and digital networking in the maintenance business.
