Secret

We admit it: public transport in the Canton of Zurich costs much more than it earns with ticket sales. Ticket prices are subsidised to make them fair and affordable, and to allow as many people as possible to use public transport. It is the goal of ZVV to find the balance between a fair contribution from the passengers and a financially and politically acceptable deficit for the general public.

The invisible balancing act: ticket prices and subsidies

ZVV has a different financing system compared to the rest of Switzerland known as expense financing: ZVV pays all of the outgoings of the transport companies operating within the Canton of Zurich and in return takes all the revenue. The difference is made up by subsidies. In the case of rail companies that operate across cantonal borders, ZVV applies the country-wide system of compensation financing.

It is thanks to this balanced financing approach that public transport in the Canton of Zurich has been established as an attractive and affordable alternative to private transport.

A masterstroke

Eine Meisterleistung

The long-term average shows that ZVV covers around two-thirds of public transport costs in the Canton of Zurich through income itself. Only around a third is covered using subsidies from the public authorities, meaning from the canton and the 162 municipalities. This proportion is very low in comparison with other regions in Switzerland and around the world. One of the reasons for this is the large number of loyal passengers, while another factor is the efficient operations of ZVV and its transport companies.

We want it this way!

The public transport system we know and appreciate in Switzerland comes at a cost. As a reliable, fast, affordable and environmentally friendly transport system, it is a vital part of our lives. For this reason, it’s not profits that take priority but, rather, consideration of the public interest – for a public transport system that benefits everyone.

A Swiss recipe for success

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