GAST AG Utzenstorf

What GAST AG Utzenstorf does

GAST AG Utzenstorf is a privately held Swiss family-owned company founded in 1970 and headquartered in Utzenstorf, Canton Bern, operating across three integrated divisions: coach travel, waste disposal (Entsorgung), and school bus transportation. The company runs a travel agency (Reisebüro GAST) at the Utzenstorf train station and a main office for coach travel bookings at Industriering 7, complemented by an online booking platform (buchen.gast.ch) and a WhatsApp customer service channel. Coach services span day trips, multi-day package holidays, concert and sports event transportation, group and charter travel, and the EventCar.ch sub-brand — launched in 2025 as a federated mobility platform networking regional coach operators for sustainable event transport. The waste disposal division, relocated in June 2025 to an expanded Industriering 6 site, serves municipal, commercial, and private customers with container rental, scheduled waste collection, recycling, and an online shop for disposal and gardening products. The school bus service, launched in August 2024 with 8 electric Mercedes-Benz eVitos powered by an on-site photovoltaic installation, represents a new B2G vertical adjacent to the core coach fleet.

Revenue is generated through a mix of transaction-based travel sales (commission on tour operator packages, per-booking fees of CHF 75, and direct coach charter pricing ranging from CHF 88 for day trips to CHF 3,325+ for international packages), recurring municipal contracts for waste collection and school transportation, and event-based B2B transportation work. The company maintains wholly-owned subsidiaries HAURI Transport GmbH (Niederwil, waste collection with electric garbage vehicles for Unterleberberg municipalities) and Bürki Reisen GmbH (Bäriswil, partner travel services). The customer base spans individual leisure travelers in the Bern/Solothurn region, sport clubs and federations (Swiss unihockey, Wizards Bern-Burgdorf, TV Solothurn Handball, Unihockey Schüpbach), municipal governments, and event organizers — notably including the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship as official transport partner, where the company executed approximately 900 team transports serving 45,000+ persons with over 99% on-time performance in partnership with Horner Reisen AG. In June 2025, the third generation of the Gast family — Marc and Noel Gast — assumed leadership from founder Daniel Gast, who remains in an advisory capacity.

Name

GAST AG Utzenstorf

Legal name

GAST AG Utzenstorf

Website

https://gast.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GAST AG Utzenstorf is a Swiss family-owned mobility and waste services company operating coach travel, travel agency, school bus (electric fleet), and municipal waste disposal services across the Bern/Solothurn region, with national event transport via its EventCar.ch platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Travel and Transportation Services

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Ground Services Wholesalers (Transfers, Car/Coach & Local Transport) (THAKAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Chauffeured / Black Car & Executive Car Services (THACAIAC), Ground Transportation & Transfers Coordination (HSACAKAD)

Keywords

• Coach travel services
• Travel agency services
• Event transportation
• Waste disposal services
• School bus transport

Headquarters

HQ city

Utzenstorf

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Coach Travel Services: Revenue from operating coach tours including day trips, multi-day holidays, and special event transportation. Includes both direct consumer bookings and group/charter services. The company operates their own fleet of coaches and offers both scheduled departures and custom charters.
2. Travel Agency Services: Commission-based revenue from selling travel packages from tour operators, plus service fees for personalized travel planning and booking. The company acts as intermediary for flights, hotels, and packaged holidays.
3. Waste Disposal Services: Container rental and sales, waste collection services for municipalities, and disposal fee collection. Services include garbage collection, recycling, green waste, and special waste streams for private, commercial, and municipal customers.
4. School Bus Transportation: Contracted school transportation services using electric vehicles (Mercedes-Benz eVitos), operating since August 2024. Revenue derived from municipal contracts for transporting children to and from schools.
5. Event Transportation (EventCar): Specialized event transportation services under the EventCar.ch brand, providing shuttle services for concerts, sports events, and corporate events. Revenue from B2B contracts with event organizers and consumer bookings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

GAST AG Utzenstorf is a Swiss mobility and services provider operating three core divisions: (1) Carreisen coach tours and a full-service Reisebüro travel agency offering package holidays, day trips, and personalized travel planning; (2) Entsorgung waste disposal services including skip/container rental, municipal waste collection, and recycling; and (3) Schulbus electric school bus transportation. The EventCar.ch sub-brand provides specialized charter transportation for concerts, sports events, and large-scale events.

Product overview

GAST AG Utzenstorf operates a multi-service mobility and waste management platform organized into three core divisions: (1) Coach Travel (Carreisen) — including standard coach tours, a dedicated EventCar.ch sub-brand for event and sports transportation, school bus services with electric vehicles, and a full-service Reisebüro (travel agency) for flight-based holidays and individual travel planning; (2) Waste Disposal (Entsorgung) — offering skip/container rental, municipal waste collection contracts, event waste management, and an online shop for disposal and gardening products; and (3) Group Travel Services — providing tailored group trips with ancillary offerings such as in-coach catering, wheelchair access, and child safety equipment. A WhatsApp booking channel supports customer communications. The company also operates subsidiaries including HAURI Transport GmbH (waste collection) and Bürki Reisen GmbH (coach travel). Sustainability is embedded via electric vehicle fleets, on-site solar power generation, and myclimate 'Cause We Care' carbon offset partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EventCar.ch: A new brand for event transportation services, networking local car companies into a decentralized mobility network for sustainable event mobility across Switzerland.

Products and services

• Carreisen (Coach Tours) Charter bus and coach travel services covering leisure trips (theme parks, holiday tours), event transportation (sports tournaments, concerts), shopping trips, half-day and full-day excursions, sport/training camp travel, and small-group individual tours across Switzerland and international destinations.
• Reisebüro (Travel Agency) Full-service travel agency offering city breaks, round trips, beach holidays, cruises, unihockey travel packages, and individual travel planning with personalized consultation, supporting all major tour operators and custom itinerary creation.
• EventCar.ch Event Transportation Specialized event mobility brand providing charter bus transportation for concerts, sports events, and large-scale events, connecting local coach companies into a decentralized national mobility network for sustainable event transport.
• Schulbus (School Bus) Service School bus transport service using 8 Mercedes-Benz eVito electric vehicles, transporting children from various pickup points to schools and back, powered entirely by the company's own photovoltaic solar installation.
• Gruppenreisen (Group Travel) Tailored group and club travel services including group trips, school excursions, senior holidays, corporate events, with add-on services such as in-coach catering, trailers, rollators/wheelchairs, and child restraint systems.
• Entsorgung (Waste Disposal Services) Comprehensive waste disposal services for private, commercial, and municipal clients, including document shredding, event waste management, gastronomy waste, household clearances, and wood chipping services.
• Mulden (Skip/Container Services) Skip and container rental service with a range of container sizes (140L, 240L, 770L), transport pricing, disposal fees, and online ordering. Serves municipalities and private clients in the surrounding region.
• Entsorgung Online Shop Online shop for disposal and gardening products including waste containers, compost products, wood chips, cardboard/paper disposal service, universal soil, natural fertilizer, and certified compostable bag accessories.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45,000+ persons transported during 2026 IIHF World Championship in 3 weeks
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, important, regular and minor.

• Horner Reisen AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2025Strategic partnership for EventCar.ch platform. Horner Reisen AG operates the Fribourg location for joint event transportation operations, particularly for the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. GAST AG took operational leadership in Zürich. Combined fleet enables nationwide event transportation coverage.
• HAURI Transport GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary company located in Niederwil operating waste collection and transportation services. Operates electric e-Kehrichtwagen (electric garbage truck) for Unterleberberg municipalities, representing Switzerland's first electric waste collection in these communities. Marc Gast serves as Managing Director of HAURI.
• Bürki Reisen GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner company in Bäriswil operating travel services. Collaborates on Christmas market trips and is part of the broader GAST group of companies. Included in joint company events and business activities.
• RegioEnergie SolothurnimportantTechnology or IntegrationLong-term partner responsible for installing company's photovoltaic (solar) system. Solar installation provides sustainable electricity for company operations and electric vehicle charging, supporting GAST's commitment to 100% renewable energy for electric fleet.
• Mercedes-Benz / Hans NauerimportantTechnology or IntegrationVehicle supplier for electric fleet including 8 Mercedes-Benz eVitos for school bus operations and Mercedes E-Econic for waste collection. Hans Nauer provided consultation for electric vehicle acquisition and implementation.
• KONTIKI (Tour Operator)regularChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTour operator partner for Iceland travel packages. GAST operates group travel to Iceland using KONTIKI services including direct flights with Edelweiss Air to Akureyri and local guest coordination.
• myclimate FoundationimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental partnership through 'Cause We Care' program. First transport company in Switzerland to join myclimate. Supports climate protection projects including nature forest reserve in Canton Bern and plastic recycling in Romania. Customers can offset travel emissions with CHF 1 surcharge (GAST matches).
• Edelweiss AirregularChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAirline partner for direct flights, particularly for Iceland travel programs (KONTIKI tours via Edelweiss Air direct flights to Akureyri).
• swiss unihockeyimportantGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor of Swiss Floorball Association. All national teams travel with GAST coaches, providing visibility and brand association with youth and amateur sport.
• TV Solothurn HandballregularGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial travel and transport partner since 2021, contract extended to 2026. GAST supports first league team and youth development programs, with company logo appearing on team materials.
• Wizards Bern-BurgdorfregularGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial travel and transport partner since 2009/2010, contract extended to July 2027. Supports women's NLA team (Swiss champions 2022/2023) and youth U21, with logo on team dresses.
• Unihockey SchüpbachregularGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial travel and transport partner since 2012, five-year contract renewal. Logo appears on first team, second team, and U21 dresses.
• Emmenpark CateringminorOthersCatering supplier for company events, providing apéro services for business gatherings.
• GlobetrotterminorOthersCEO André Lüthi of Globetrotter participated in joint green waste collection day with Daniel Gast (GAST) in Solothurn, demonstrating industry camaraderie and commitment to waste sector professionalism.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Car Tourisme SA (Switzerland): Swiss coach tour operator focused on day trips, multi-day holidays, and group travel, primarily serving French-speaking Switzerland. Comparable in charter and scheduled tour services for leisure and event markets.
• Galli Reisen AG: Swiss coach tour company offering package tours, ski trips, and event transportation. Comparable fleet-based service model, leisure travel focus, and Swiss-German regional concentration.
• Knecht Reisen AG: Established Swiss coach tour operator offering package tours, day trips, and group travel across Switzerland and Europe. Directly comparable in business model, customer segments (Swiss leisure travelers, sport clubs, groups), and fleet-based service delivery.
• Baumeler Bus & Reisen: Swiss family-owned coach and tour company based in central Switzerland. Operates fleet of coaches for package holidays, school trips, and corporate events — directly comparable offering and customer base.
• Horner Reisen AG: Swiss coach and tour operator partnered with GAST AG on the EventCar.ch platform for the 2026 IIHF World Championship. Operates Fribourg location; offers directly comparable coach tours, charter services, and event transportation across Switzerland.

Broad incumbents

• Hotelplan Group: Major Swiss tour operator offering package holidays through brands like Hotelplan, MTCH, and Travelhouse. Competes for the same package-holiday customers GAST serves through its travel agency and tour partnerships.
• PostBus / PostAuto (Swiss Post): National Swiss public bus operator serving rural and regional routes. While primarily public transit, it operates in overlapping customer segments (school transport, regional mobility) and dwarfs GAST AG in fleet scale and geographic reach.
• Globetrotter Travel (Switzerland): Switzerland's largest independent travel agency chain. Directly comparable in travel agency/intermediation services and Reisebüro business model, but with national footprint, broader tour-operator relationships, and significantly larger scale than GAST's Reisebüro.
• Eurobus (Eurolines Switzerland): Swiss coach operator offering international and domestic charter, scheduled services, and group travel. Comparable in fleet operations and event/charter transportation, but with broader international reach and larger corporate client base than GAST.

Regional players

• Imholz Reisen AG: Family-owned Swiss coach and tour company based in central Switzerland. Closely comparable in fleet-based coach tours, school and group transport, but primarily serves a different Swiss-German region than GAST's Bern/Solothurn catchment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwjUW_mZPf-lL18y96_aT4A
• Facebookfacebook.com/gastagutzenstorf
• Instagraminstagram.com/gast_ag_utzenstorf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gast-ag-utzenstorf

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GAST AG Utzenstorf