The Association of Public Transport in Switzerland (VöV) has warned that the cost of travelling via train, tram, bus and boat is expected to soar in the coming years. They predicted that if nothing is done to bolster funding, Swiss public transport tickets will be 30 percent more expensive by 2035.
Swiss public transport providers unable to contain rising costs
At a press conference, the VöV argued that despite efforts to increase efficiency, transport firms are unable to reduce running costs due to external factors. Amid increases in salaries, rising costs for energy and “sensible” investments and targets for decarbonisation, they predicted that costs would increase by 30 percent on average by 2035.
According to the association, public transport will also have to face the fact that thanks to population growth and a reduction in the number of people driving - to fulfil Switzerland’s climate targets - Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and other providers will also need to increase services. While the VöV categorically rejected watering down or postponing any climate goals or plans to reduce services, they conceded that upgrading the network would be costly.
Switzerland debates austerity measures for the railways
The statement comes as the Swiss government mulls austerity measures for the railways in a bid to balance the federal budget. Despite announcing multiple expansion projects for the next 10 years, debates still rage as to whether the day-to-day funding of SBB should be cut.
With the cost of public transport shared equally between passengers, the government and Swiss cantons, 20 Minuten predicted that if nothing is done to increase state subsidies, ticket prices will rise - for instance, the price of an all-access second-class General Abonnement or GA would rise to over 5.000 francs a year by 2035. The VöV added that, as it currently stands, 1.500 train, ship, tram and cable car routes would be financially unviable without government support.
Good rail network is of "outstanding benefit" to Switzerland
The VöV argued that a good and well-funded public transportation system is of “outstanding benefit to Switzerland”, forming the “backbone” of mobility, providing a boon for the economy and being a key factor for “prosperity and high quality of life”/ They argued that while these positives “must be managed under the pressure of an increasingly contested federal budget”, the state has a responsibility to make sure the railways are adequately funded without forcing users to pay more.
In concluding their statement, the VöV called for the public transport budget to be secured, with “moderate” increases that would see the federal government and cantons bear more of the burden of rising costs.
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