PUBLIC TRANSPORT TOTAL: Pass-Spass

Today, we needed to be seated comfortably. We embarked on the legendary 4-Pass Tour. Starting from Meiringen, we will travel 188 km over eight hours through Grimsel - Nufenen - Gotthard and Susten.

Eight hours on a postbus? Isn’t that going to be dreadfully boring? Far from it: the day holds some surprises. :-) The Nora-Tabani-Crime will remain unread, for sure.

It all begins in Sursee. After the rainfalls of the night, the usual underpass has filled with water. Luckily, I arrive at the station in time, so this has no consequences.

Sarner- and Lungernsee fascinate the accompanying Chinese and Indian travelers, drawing out various Ahs and Ohs.

In Meiringen, a whole postbus cavalcade is waiting. People from all over the world meet here to immediately disperse into all corners of the BEO. I sit with Fredy, my driver. However, I will have to share his attention today with Saskia, his newlywed wife. She is a postbus driver and will be initiated into the secrets of the Four-Pass Tour by the old master today.

The Grimsel is still shrouded in thick fog. The Nufenen is closed due to snowfall in the last hours. Is the journey going to end sooner than hoped? I can’t help but diligently fulfill the role of the co-driver. So I can soon tell Fredy that the TCS reports free passage over the pass starting from 10:00 AM, which he immediately announces to the other guests over the microphone.

As soon as we reach Goms, the sky clears up. The most beautiful autumn weather now accompanies us until we pass through Meiental at the end of the day.

Unfortunately, we lose an elderly gentleman on the Grimsel Pass. Fredy is only marginally worried about this. After some phone and radio conversations, we agree to pick him up again on the Gotthard. In the meantime, I have the noble task of watching the abandoned backpack.

In Airolo, it’s time for lunch. The Restaurant Cristallina guarantees affordable, good cuisine. It does not disappoint me today either. I briefly watch the antics of a Lambo driver trying to impress his leather-clad girlfriend, and then we’re off to the Gotthard.

On the pass, a school class from Zug boards, encouraged by Fredy to perform some songs. Each successful performance is rewarded with hearty posthorns. And, we have collected the prodigal son again, allowing me to finish my backpack-watching duties.

In Andermatt, there’s another stop, just enough time for a little village tour.

On the way to the Sustenpass, neither fog is rising. Saskia learns some important lessons about road width and tunnel profiles.

At the Steingletscher, we stop for the last time. We buy a few souvenirs and then head back to Meiringen, where the entertaining journey comes to an end. It was Fredy’s last ride for this season, and now the two of them are off to their well-deserved honeymoon in Las Vegas.

I still have time to study the train station toilets and once again confirm: public women's restrooms are the ultimate challenge for any cleaning crew.

After 13 hours, I arrive back in Sursee. A fantastic day is coming to an end. Time to feed the cats and tell them a goodnight story. I have plenty of material.

A fantastic day in public transport, a recommendation for anyone who wants to be driven properly.