Upvote:1
Strictly speaking, you do need to have the passport to travel within Schengen.
In practice, I would ask a bus travel agency/railroad administration.
What is your legal base for living in Switzerland?
a proof of submission of a passport from the UK embassy (I am not sure if they would provide a receipt as well)
In the application center, they provide you with a 'submission and collection checklist' that is signed only by you. But you can pay a service 'Keep My Passport When Applying' (€ 80.00) that allows you to apply and keep hold of your passport during the decision making process.