GC Zürich fans pull emergency brake four times on Intercity train in protest over cut of extra trains
Fans of Grasshopper Club Zürich pulled the emergency brake four times and set off a smoke alarm aboard an Intercity train on Saturday, protesting the Swiss Federal Railways' reduction of dedicated fan trains. The action halted the IC 81 between Zürich and Bern, disabled air conditioning, and required police and ambulance presence at Bern station.
Protest aboard the Intercity
On Saturday, supporters of Grasshopper Club Zürich traveling to an away match in Lausanne disrupted the IC 81 service between Zürich and Bern by pulling the emergency brake four times. The group, belonging to the "Sektor IV" fan organisation, also triggered a fire alarm by lighting smoke flares and smoking inside the carriage. The alarm caused the air conditioning to fail, worsening conditions on a hot day.
- GC fans board IC 81 headed to Bern
- Fans pull the emergency brake
- Train halted two more times
- Fans pull brake, light flares, trigger fire alarm
- Smoke alarm disables air conditioning
- Fans transfer to Lausanne service; ambulance and police on standby
Flyer grievances
Passengers received flyers explaining the protest against Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) systematically cutting dedicated "extra trains" that once separated football fans from other travellers. The flyer stated:
The fans warned that "fewer extra trains mean more potential for conflict" and urged disrupted travellers to scan a QR code linking to SBB customer service.For years, extra trains have proven their worth. They allow football fans to be separated from uninvolved passengers. That leads to fewer conflicts and a quieter journey for everyone.
Passenger and official reaction
One passenger told Blick she was stuck for 20 minutes before the Grauholz tunnel, describing the journey as "exhausting". "I have no idea when we'll continue," she said, with groans audible from other travellers. SBB confirmed the incident and rerouted trains via Langenthal and Burgdorf, causing delays and cancellations. At Bern station, police were stationed and an ambulance was on standby for heat-affected passengers. Authorities reported only verbal altercations.
Broader context
The new Super League season has not yet started; the fixture was a pre-season contest. The action highlights simmering tensions over football security logistics, as SBB says vandalism and costs make extra fan trains unsustainable. The fans' demonstration, while disruptive, remained peaceful aside from the brake pulls and smoke alarm.
