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No increase in Swiss public transport costs in 2021 despite coronavirus

The Local
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No increase in Swiss public transport costs in 2021 despite coronavirus
A worker boards a train in Geneva. Photo: FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP

Switzerland’s rail authority has promised no cost increases for public transport in 2021, despite the havoc wreaked by the coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown.

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Alliance SwissPass, which decides on price hikes for public transport, said on Wednesday that there will be no increases to costs in 2021. 

The decision comes despite a significant fall in revenue for public transport operators as a result of the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown. 

As reported in Swiss media outlet Le Temps, there is a 25-30 percent fall in revenue predicted for public transport in Switzerland in 2020, compared to figures from 2019. 

Turnover has dropped by two-thirds since March, while ticket sales have fallen by 60 percent. 

Swiss transit authorities have called upon the Federal Council to provide financial aid to cover the drop in revenue, rather than to attempt to recoup this money from commuters. 

It is the fourth year in a row where significant price hikes will be avoided. 

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Further changes from 2021

SwissPass also announced a new monthly AG card, which will cost CHF420 for a full fare or CHF290 for people under 25. 

Young people who benefit from a junior subscription will receive a discount of 500 francs on the adult GA when they enter their 26th year. 

This compensates for the abolition of the student GA intended for those who continue their studies between 25 and 30 years.

As The Local Switzerland reported in late May, from 2021 passengers will also be compensated for late trains in Switzerland. 

READ: Swiss public transport passengers to be reimbursed for delays from 2021 

Passengers will be entitled to reimbursement for relatively short delays - and for modestly-priced tickets. 

The announcement is part of a reorganisation plan adopted by the Swiss government in late 2018 which sought to make the system more transparent, to ensure non-discriminatory access to rail networks and improve their overall efficiency. 

The change brings Switzerland in line with EU law, which obliges companies to compensate passengers for delays. 

 

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