Should Public Transport in the City of Zurich Be Free?

Mobility is a basic need in urban areas. This initiative aims to make public transport in Zurich free of charge. This saves administrative costs and reduces irrational shifts to other means of transport.

Problem

• Individual traffic with gasoline, diesel, or electric cars is not sustainable fo…: Individual traffic with gasoline, diesel, or electric cars is not sustainable for the environment and climate because the energy footprint per kilometer traveled is very high.
• Traffic jams burden cities, cause economic damage due to lost working time, and …: Traffic jams burden cities, cause economic damage due to lost working time, and increase transportation costs.
• Exhaust gases and fine dust burden health, increase costs, and reduce work perfo…: Exhaust gases and fine dust burden health, increase costs, and reduce work performance. Tire wear is a big problem.
• Streets and parking lots consume valuable space for housing and recreation.: Streets and parking lots consume valuable space for housing and recreation.
• Too many cars reduce urban attractiveness due to traffic jams, high noise, and e…: Too many cars reduce urban attractiveness due to traffic jams, high noise, and environmental pollution.

Solution

• Public transport is offered free of charge to provide all residents with easy ac…: Public transport is offered free of charge to provide all residents with easy access to mobility.
• Transport companies measure occupancy and adjust services accordingly to ensure …: Transport companies measure occupancy and adjust services accordingly to ensure reasonable travel times.
• The financing of free public transport is done through municipal taxes to distri…: The financing of free public transport is done through municipal taxes to distribute costs fairly.
• Financing is additionally provided through an increase in the tourist tax.: Financing is additionally provided through an increase in the tourist tax.
• Costs per kilometer are compared nationally and transport companies have clear e…: Costs per kilometer are compared nationally and transport companies have clear efficiency targets.

Benefit

• Promoting public transportation reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air polluti…: Promoting public transportation reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. In cities, this lowers emissions and combats health problems such as asthma and respiratory diseases.
• Public transport can be offered more efficiently the more people use it. There a…: Public transport can be offered more efficiently the more people use it. There are clearly positive economies of scale in the cost per kilometer traveled.
• Less traffic, shorter commuting times, less stress by switching to public transp…: Less traffic, shorter commuting times, less stress by switching to public transport.
• This makes Zurich even more attractive for tourists.: This makes Zurich even more attractive for tourists.
• For the ZVV (operator of public transport in Zurich), cost savings arise from th…: For the ZVV (operator of public transport in Zurich), cost savings arise from the elimination of controllers, ticket machines, and apps.