The Zurich Transport Association (ZVV) has confirmed that the cost of public transport tickets in and around the canton will rise from December 2023. The government of Canton Zurich said that despite record passenger numbers on public transport in recent months, ZVV is still expected to record losses of over 400 million francs a year.

ZVV tickets to cost 3,4 percent more from December

From December of this year, public transport tickets will cost 3,4 percent more on average on the ZVV tariff network - which includes all of Canton Zurich and some areas of St. Gallen and Schwyz on Lake Zurich. The increase has been in the pipeline since April, but was only recently agreed to by both the ZVV and the cantonal government.

Specifically, the cost of single tickets will increase by 4,5 percent, while 24-hour tickets will see price rises of 3,5 percent. Commuters with two-zone monthly subscriptions face a slightly smaller increase (2,4 percent), and those with annually renewing tickets will have to pay 3,5 percent more. For example, a one to two-zone annual pass will now cost 809 francs instead of 782.

Zurich public transport faces massive budget deficit

In the statement, the council explained that the transport network in Canton Zurich had expanded significantly in recent years, but was now caught in a cost and inflation trap. Indeed, they noted that heightened costs for workers and energy, and higher interest rates happened to coincide with a massive drop in passenger numbers thanks to the COVID pandemic.

While passenger numbers have since recovered and actually exceeded pre-pandemic levels in recent months, the council said that ZVV still expects to make a loss of 437,5 million francs in 2024. They added that “according to current financial planning, the costs of the ZVV in particular are expected to increase in the next few years due to high inflation, increased interest rates, massively higher energy costs and various other factors.”

As a result, the council argued that the “challenging situation requires measures from everyone involved: In addition to higher contributions from the public sector through tax money, increases in efficiency at the ZVV... And ultimately, public transport passengers should also make a moderate additional contribution.”

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