A tune that works around a blind bend
On the Furka Pass, a bus approaching a tight hairpin may be hidden from drivers coming the other way until the last moment. The William Tell melody is a warning that travels ahead of it: hearing the distinctive notes gives oncoming traffic a chance to slow down, keep to its side, or wait before entering the curve.
Why use a melody?
The signal comes from the Swiss postal-horn tradition. Its clear, recognizable notes stand out from ordinary road noise, making it easier to identify the sound as a PostBus approaching—not just another vehicle somewhere on the mountain. On a road with sharp turns and little room to maneuver, that early notice matters more than seeing the bus far in advance.
The music does not make a narrow pass wider or remove the need for caution. It gives drivers an extra cue before the road brings them face to face. Around a blind hairpin, a few seconds of warning can turn a tense meeting into a controlled wait.
