Switzerland mulls 50 percent public transport discount for all

A new proposal submitted to parliament would see that everyone in Switzerland is given a 50 percent discount for public transport. Supporters argue the plan will make greener forms of travel more attractive and accessible to the public, while opponents fear the high cost.

Switzerland debates discounted public transport for all

In the motion submitted by Green Party National Councillor Marionna Schlatter, the Swiss government would cut the cost of public transport tickets by 50 percent. This would be done by scrapping the half-fare travelcard (Halbtax-Abo) and cutting the cost of standard tickets by half.

Speaking to 20 Minuten, Schlatter argued that the 170-franc Halbtax, which grants a 50 percent discount and is essential to anyone who wishes to use public transport affordably, is a “barrier to entry”, especially for those who don’t use the network enough to justify the price. She noted that her plan would lead to a reduction in road traffic at a time of record traffic jams by making alternatives more affordable.

Following the rejection of road expansion plans in November 2024’s referendums, Schlatter argued that the “population wants sustainable, fair mobility, not more asphalt". She went on to argue that the cost of her plans is a “pittance compared to the billions that are flowing into road construction". "The fact that the trains are full doesn't mean we need less public transport—it means we need more of it. Now we need to expand the service, not slow it down." 

Swiss public transport costs have doubled since the 1990s

While a universal 50 percent discount may sound extreme, data suggests that this would bring the cost of public transport back to where it was over 3 decades ago. According to a report from the official Swiss Price Monitor, the cost of using public transport has doubled since 1990, while the cost of driving has only risen by a quarter, around 20 percentage points less than average inflation between 1990 and 2024. 

"Given the high costs of public transport, it's often not worth leaving your car in the garage occasionally if you already have one," Social Democratic Party National Councillor David Roth told 20 Minuten. Another study by the public transport association LITRA noted that while the rail network is value for money, Switzerland is one of the few places that has done little to nothing to make train travel cheaper.

"We can't afford it," say opponents

In response, the Federal Council has rejected the proposal over its cost. They predict it would cost taxpayers 700 million francs a year to enact, as it would get rid of the income gained through the Halbtax and cut standard ticket costs. However, much of this cost would likely be covered by an increase in demand.

"We can't afford it," argued Swiss People’s Party National Councillor Nadja Umbricht Pieren. FDP councillor Andri Silberschmidt added that the money would be better spent investing in and maintaining the current rail network.

LITRA president and Centre Party National Councillor Martin Candinas called the idea “completely wrong”, arguing that it amounts to an attack on the "balanced and widely accepted fare system". He added that discounted and saver tickets already exist for those who want to travel cheaply.

Candinas concluded that while public transport may be more expensive in Switzerland, its availability, punctuality, safety, comfort, and reliability make it worth it. "This is precisely why user numbers continue to rise," he concluded. The proposal is set to be debated in parliament’s summer session, which will begin on June 2.