VCS Calls for Relief Instead of Price Spiral in Public Transport Prices

From the perspective of the VCS, it is particularly problematic that public transport is becoming more expensive, while the costs of motorized individual transport have become cheaper in recent years. This widening gap weakens the attractiveness of public transport. "If we take climate goals seriously, we need to make the entry into public transport easier, not harder," says VCS Co-President Jelena Filipovic. "Higher ticket prices send the wrong signal – especially for families, people with a small budget, and for those who want to switch from car to bus and train."

The VCS is particularly critical of price increases for children and young people. Those who use public transport from a young age tend to remain committed to it for life; rising costs threaten this essential early involvement. Therefore, the VCS calls for these relevant offers not to become more expensive but to be specifically reduced: free travel for children and teenagers up to 16 years old and additional discounts (e.g., a free Half-Fare Card) for young people in training up to 25 years of age. Moreover, the price of the Half-Fare Card should be reduced to a maximum of 100 francs per year.

The 2nd class is not a cash cow

The VCS also demands that passengers in the 2nd class should not be disproportionately charged, particularly as they supposedly contribute more to the system's financing today than 1st class customers. Any further intensification of this redistribution would be counterproductive in terms of traffic policy and would increase the risk of passengers reverting to using cars more frequently.

"Public transport is the backbone of climate-friendly mobility in Switzerland," highlights Jelena Filipovic. "To maintain this, we need fair, transparent, and balanced prices—and a tariff policy that strengthens rather than weakens public transport." The open letter to Alliance SwissPass can be signed on the VCS website.

For further information, please contact:

- Jelena Filipovic, Co-President VCS Switzerland, 079 289 06 41

- Media Contact VCS, 079 708 05 36, medien@verkehrsclub.ch

Further information:

- Open letter to Alliance SwissPass

The VCS Verkehrs-Club of Switzerland is committed to sustainable transport policies and advocates optimal interaction between various modes of transport. With 85,000 members, the VCS is the largest transport association in Switzerland advocating for sustainable mobility.

VCS Verkehrs-Club der Schweiz
Aarbergergasse 61
P.O. Box
3001 Bern
Media Office
079 708 05 36
medien@verkehrsclub.ch

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