Initiative proposes removing trams from Basel city centre

The “Go Basel Go!” initiative, calling for trams to be redirected out of Basel city centre to create a greener living space, has been announced by a cross-party committee.

Proposal suggests removing trams from Basel city centre

A committee made up of leaders from several Swiss political parties and a number of businesses has announced an initiative calling for a tram-free city centre in Switzerland’s cultural capital of Basel. 

The committee proposes that Basel’s city centre be “freed from the current “tram wall”” which runs through the city. Instead of trams, there should be trees, fountains, meeting places, shops and restaurants to “improve quality of life” for the city’s residents and visitors.

The proposal calls for trams to be removed from the area between Barfüsserplatz and Schifflände. The initiative goes on to clarify that public transport connections via Steinenberg, Kohlenberg and Schifflände should remain in place.

“Go Basel Go!” committee wants to make Basel greener

According to the “Go Basel Go!” website, the committee’s vision is to create “the greenest city centre in Switzerland, one that connects: for young and old, for businesses and for visitors – as a symbol of a sustainable, livable Basel.” 

The initiative was announced on October 22, 2025, and is seeking to collect 3.000 signatures within 18 months. Once the signatures have been collected, the initiative will be reviewed by the government and either assessed further or submitted to a popular vote. 

A plan is already underway to improve the public transport network in Basel, known as Tram Network 2030. A collaboration between Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft and transport companies BVB and BLT, the initiative aims to make trams more reliable, on time and quicker, and includes new tram routes in Claragraben and Petersgraben.

According to the “Go Basel Go!” initiative, the proposal will complement the planned Tram Network 2030 improvements and will mean that the initiative’s implementation can “move forward quickly”.