public transport in Zurich

{{Main|ZSG}}

The Lake Zurich Navigation Company (German: Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (ZSG)), established in the late 19th century, operates passenger vessels on Lake Zurich and the Limmat river. A member of the ZVV,{{Cite web |date=2024-09-06 |title=Das Unternehmen ZSG - Schifffahrten auf dem Zürichsee - ZSG |url=https://www.zsg.ch/de/das-unternehmen-zsg/ |access-date=2025-05-06 |website=www.zsg.ch |language=de-DE}} {{As of|2015|lc=y}} it runs seventeen passenger ships{{Cite web |date=2024-07-24 |title=Allocation of boats - Schifffahrten auf dem Zürichsee - ZSG |url=https://www.zsg.ch/en/allocation-of-boats/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=www.zsg.ch |language=en-US}} (two of them—the DS Stadt Zurich and DS Stadt Rapperswil—being converted paddle steamers from the 1900s), carrying around 1.2 million passengers annually from Bürkliplatz, at the northern end of Lake Zurich, to landing stages on the lake and along the river (as far north as the Swiss National Museum).{{Cite web |date=2024-06-18 |title=Fahrplan - Schifffahrten auf dem Zürichsee - ZSG |url=https://www.zsg.ch/de/fahrplan/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=www.zsg.ch |language=de-DE}} Other excursions include 90-minute round-trips to Erlenbach and cruises across the lake which can take over four hours.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-13 |title=Home - Schifffahrten auf dem Zürichsee - ZSG |url=https://www.zsg.ch/en/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=www.zsg.ch |language=en-US}}

File:ZSG_-_Stadt_Zürich_IMG_3197.JPG|The DS Stadt Zurich paddle steamer on Lake Zurich in 2009

File:ZSG - Regula - Quaibrücke 2010-09-20 18-45-40.JPG|Boat operating on Lake Zurich and the river Limmat within the city centre

{{main|Trolleybuses in Zurich}}File:ZRH Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich -63 31 2023-11-20.jpg on line 31 at Zurich Main Station in 2023]]

Zurich's trolleybus system was implemented in 1939. {{As of|2021}}, it has six lines and a total route length of {{convert|54.0|km|abbr=on}}.{{cite web |title=Routes |url=http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/vbz/en/index/vbz/portrait/facts_figures/routes.html |access-date=31 January 2012 |publisher=Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich}} Like the trams and the funicular, the bus system is owned and operated by Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ). The city's original trolleybus, which ran between Bezirksgebäude and Bucheggplatz, is now part of line 32.

The six trolleybus lines are numbered 31, 32, 33, 46, 72 and 83, each with an identifying colour on network maps. {{As of|2015}}, around 54 million people used the buses annually.

{{Clear}}

{{As of|2012|alt=In 2012}}, the trolleybus fleet totalled 114 vehicles, of which 83 were articulated and 31 were bi-articulated.

VBZ also operate 59 motor bus lines, carrying around 37 million passengers annually ({{As of|2015|lc=y}}). The lines can be broken down into urban routes (eighteen lines), district routes (nine local minibus-operated feeder lines within the city) and regional routes (32 lines in the region around the city).{{cite web |title=VBZ - Portrait - Facts & figures - Routes |url=http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/vbz/en/index/vbz/portrait/facts_figures/routes.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323054929/http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/vbz/en/index/vbz/portrait/facts_figures/routes.html |archive-date=2013-03-23 |access-date=2012-05-04 |publisher=City of Zurich}} Other operators of motor buses in/into the city are AVA, AZZK, PostAuto and VBG. Other operators in the canton of Zurich are VZO and Zimmerbergbus.

The motor bus lines serving stops in the city are {{ric|VBZ|35}}, {{ric|VBZ|37}}, {{ric|VBZ|38}}, {{ric|VBZ|39}}, {{ric|VBZ|40}}, {{ric|VBZ|42}}, {{ric|VBZ|61}}, {{ric|VBZ|62}}, {{ric|VBZ|64}}, {{ric|VBZ|66}}, {{ric|VBZ|67}}, {{ric|VBZ|69}}, {{ric|VBZ|70}}, {{ric|VBZ|73}}, {{ric|VBZ|75}}, {{ric|VBZ|76}}, {{ric|VBZ|77}}, {{ric|VBZ|78}}, {{ric|VBZ|80}} (a hybrid),{{Cite web |date=2020-04-20 |title=Zurich: Battery-Trolleybuses on line 83 |url=https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/zurich-line-83-now-electric/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=Urban Transport Magazine |language=en-US}} {{ric|VBZ|89}}, {{ric|VBZ|91}}, {{ric|VBZ|99}}, 151, {{ric|VBZ|161}}, {{ric|VBZ|165}}, {{ric|VBZ|184}}, {{ric|VBZ|185}}, {{ric|PostBus|200}}, {{ric|PostBus|210}}, {{ric|PostBus|215}}, {{ric|PostBus|220}}, {{ric|PostBus|235}}, {{ric|PostBus|236}}, {{ric|PostBus|245}}, {{ric|VBZ|304}}, {{ric|VBZ|307}}, {{ric|PostBus|350}}, {{ric|Aargau Verkehr|444}}, {{ric|Aargau Verkehr|445}}, {{ric|VBG|485}}, {{ric|VBG|492}}, {{ric|VBZ|701}}, {{ric|VBZ|703}}, {{ric|VBG|704}}, {{ric|VBG|742}}, {{ric|VBG|743}}, {{ric|VBG|744}}, {{ric|VBG|745}}, {{ric|VBG|751}}, {{ric|VBG|752}}, {{ric|VBG|754}}, {{ric|VBG|759}}, {{ric|VBG|760}}, {{ric|VBG|761}}, {{ric|VBG|762}}, {{ric|VBG|768}}, {{ric|VBG|781}}, {{ric|VBG|787}}, 912 and 916. With the exception of some VBZ lines, motor bus lines appear in the same colour (light blue) on network maps. In 2020, it was announced that lines 69 and 80 would become electrified around 2025.

Eight fully electric "neighbourhood buses" were ordered from Swiss vehicle manufacturer Carrosserie Hess in 2021, for use on lines 35, 38, 39, 40, 64, 73, 79 and 307.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-19 |title=HESS will supply battery-powered midi buses to Zürich |url=https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/hess-will-supply-battery-powered-midi-buses-to-zurich/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=Urban Transport Magazine |language=en-US}} Line 79 was later subsumed into line 75.

In 2022, the purchase of thirteen battery-powered articulated and thirteen bi-articulated buses from Hess was initiated, with planned introduction to the network in 2024. Up to 140 additional vehicles are planned, for use on the expanding electric operation of the network, as well as to replace the aging current fleet.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-17 |title=Major order for HESS: lighTram® go to Zurich |url=https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/major-order-for-hess-lightram-go-to-zurich/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=Urban Transport Magazine |language=en-US}}

In 2024, seven routes began a two-year pilot project of using Swiss eBus plus buses. The routes are 35, 38, 39, 40, 42, 64 and 73.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-04 |title=Zurich: Test of the innovative HESS ‘Swiss eBus plus’ |url=https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/zurich-test-of-the-innovative-hess-swiss-ebus-plus/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=Urban Transport Magazine |language=en-US}}

The city also has a nighttime bus network (lines N1–N18, N71, N74–N76, N78, N91){{cite web |title=Nighttime Network Zurich City |url=https://www.zvv.ch/content/dam/zvv/publikationen/netzpl%C3%A4ne/nachtnetz-zuerich.pdf |access-date=2025-06-05 |publisher=ZVV}} run by motor buses, in addition to the nighttime S-Bahn. Moreover, during the Long Night of Museums in Zurich ({{lang|de|Lange Nacht der Zürcher Museen}}), motor buses lines M1–M5 shuttle between participating museums.{{cite web |title=Die lange Nacht der Zürcher Museen |trans-title=Long Night of Museums of Zurich |url=https://langenacht-zuerich.ch/media/zasbrkqx/220809_lndm_vbz_plan_a4.pdf |date=2022-09-03 |access-date=2025-06-05 |publisher=langenacht-zuerich.ch |language=de}}

{{Main|Zurich S-Bahn}}{{See also|List of railway stations in Zurich}}File:Zuerich Hauptbahnhof-2.jpg

File:Zürich Hauptbahnhof - Zurich main train station.jpg

File:S-Bahn-Zuerich-Linienplan ab Ende 2018.svg

File:Zurich pociag Forchbahn 72.jpg tram at the Stadelhofen stop in Zurich running on the S18 line (2019)]]

The Zurich S-Bahn, and its {{Convert|390|km}} of track, covers both the entire canton of Zurich and sections of neighbouring cantons, such as Aargau and St. Gallen, and even into southern Germany. The S-Bahn was officially established by ZVV in 1990, but several lines were already in operation.

The railway network is mainly operated by the Swiss Federal Railways, but Zurich is also served by major EuroCity trains from the neighbouring countries and is a destination for both French/Swiss (TGV Lyria) and German (ICE) high-speed trains, as well as by Austrian RailJet.

Unusual for rapid-transit services, the S-Bahn provides first-class commuter travel; about a quarter of seats on each train are first class.seating ratio calculated from [http://www.economypoint.org/s/sbb-rabe-514.html specifications for DTZ RABe 514] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726013228/http://www.economypoint.org/s/sbb-rabe-514.html|date=2011-07-26}}, retrieved 2011-02-13

Prior to the construction of the S-Bahn, most Zurich-bound trains terminated at Zurich Main Station (Zürich HB). The exception was the lines of the Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn (SZU), which terminated at Zürich Selnau.

With its thirteen platforms and 26 tracks, Zürich HB, completed in 1871, is the largest and busiest station in Switzerland and is an important railway hub in Europe. As of early 2020, it served around 470,000 passengers and nearly 3,000 trains every day.{{Cite web |last=Keiser |first=Andreas |date=2012-07-19 |title=Rail network modernises to stay on track |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/democracy/rail-network-modernises-to-stay-on-track/33124756 |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=en}}

There are 27 other railway stations in the municipality of Zurich: Affoltern, {{rws|Altstetten}}, Balgrist, Binz, Brunau, {{rws|Enge}}, Friesenberg, Giesshübel, {{rws|Hardbrücke}}, Hegibachplatz, Kreuzplatz, Leimbach, Manegg, {{rws|Oerlikon}}, Rehalp, Saalsporthalle, Schweighof, {{rws|Seebach}}, {{rws|Selnau}}, {{rws|Stadelhofen}}, Stadelhofen (FB), {{rws|Stettbach}}, {{rws|Tiefenbrunnen}}, {{rws|Triemli}}, {{rws|Wiedikon}}, {{rws|Wipkingen}} and {{rws|Wollishofen}}. Three of these stations—Stadelhofen, Oerlikon and Hardbrücke—are among the ten busiest railway stations in Switzerland. Another railway station, Letten, has been disused since 1989.

As of 2021, the S-Bahn is composed of 32 lines. 21 of these pass through Zürich HB. Twenty of the routes are operated by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), six by Thurbo, two each by SZU and Südostbahn (SOB) and one each by Aargau Verkehr (AVA) and Forchbahn (FB). Again, each line is identified with a colour. The Forchbahn uses line S18 for its arrivals to and departures from Zürich Stadelhofen FB.

Between Friday night and Sunday night, ZVV runs nighttime S-Bahn services (designated SN followed by the route number) and nighttime bus services (designated N followed by the line number). Nighttime services operate from 1 o'clock until the early morning hours. The nighttime S-Bahn and bus routes form a network, which is different from the daytime network. Most SN services run hourly. In 2025, it was reported that around 30,000 passengers per night were using the night network. Approximately 80 percent of these were leisure travelers, with the balance being commuters. The numbers were being examined by ZVV to see whether it is viable to introduce a 24/7 schedule. It would also evaluate if it was necessary to extend lines running on weekdays.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-14 |title=Could Zurich’s public transport system soon operate 24/7? |url=https://www.thelocal.ch/20250514/could-zurichs-public-transport-system-soon-operate-24-7 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=The Local Switzerland |language=en}}

As of December 2022, the following nighttime S-Bahn services are active:{{Cite web |title=Night timetable and line network |url=https://www.zvv.ch/zvv/en/travelcards-and-tickets/fares/nighttime-network/nacht-fahrplan-und-liniennetz.html |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=ZVV |language=en}}

{{Main|Trams in Zurich}}

File:Zürich Paradeplatz.jpg (tram stop) is one of the key nodes of the Zurich tram network, served by seven lines]]

File:Bahnhofstrasse - Uraniastrasse - Beatengasse 2010-08-27 19-07-46 ShiftN.jpg travelling north on Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse, approaching Zurich Main Station]]

Like the buses and the funicular, Zurich's tram system is owned and operated by VBZ, although the Glattalbahn (owned by Verkehrsbetriebe Glattal (VBG)) and the Limmattalbahn use part of its lines (lines 2 and 20 for the Limmattalbahn; lines 10–12 for VBG).{{cite book |title=Eisenbahnatlas Schweiz |publisher=Verlag Schweers + Wall GmbH |year=2012 |isbn=978-3-89494-130-7 |pages=64–65}} The first trams began operating in 1882, and were horse-drawn.{{cite web |title=Facts & figures - Corporate history |url=http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/vbz/en/index/vbz/portrait/facts_figures/corporate_history.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007013822/http://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/vbz/en/index/vbz/portrait/facts_figures/corporate_history.html |archive-date=2012-10-07 |access-date=2012-05-26 |publisher=VBZ}}

The trams run on metre-gauge tracks and are powered by overhead lines at 600 V DC. The same system powers the city's trolleybuses.{{cite web |title=Startseite VBZ - Die VBZ - Porträt - Zahlen & Fakten - Linien |trans-title=Home VBZ - VBZ - Portrait - Facts & Figures - Lines |url=https://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/vbz/de/index/die_vbz/portraet/zahlen_fakten/linien.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511011731/https://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/vbz/de/index/die_vbz/portraet/zahlen_fakten/linien.html |archive-date=11 May 2021 |access-date=2014-05-25 |publisher=Stadt Zürich [City of Zurich] |language=de}}{{cite web |title=Startseite VBZ - Die VBZ - Porträt - Zahlen & Fakten - Linien |trans-title=Home VBZ - VBZ - Portrait - Facts & Figures - Lines |url=https://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/vbz/de/index/die_vbz/portraet/zahlen_fakten/linien.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511011731/https://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/content/vbz/de/index/die_vbz/portraet/zahlen_fakten/linien.html |archive-date=11 May 2021 |access-date=2014-05-25 |publisher=Stadt Zürich [City of Zurich] |language=de}} Depending on the locale, tracks are either fully segregated from motor vehicles or they share the road and are separated by traffic signals.

{{As of|2025}}, there are sixteen lines, each with their own identifying colour, serving the city's 185 stations{{Cite web |title=Zurich, Switzerland |url=https://metasub.org/city-profiles/zurich-switzerland/ |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=MetaSUB |language=en-US}} and carrying around 200 million passengers per year. Nine of the lines serve Zürich HB.

{{notelist}}

As of 2012, the VBZ owns 313 trams. All regular public services are covered by 289 vehicles of two basic classes, with the remainder of the fleet made up of a number of assorted works vehicles, including some used for the cargo tram service and heritage vehicles.

• Federal Office of Transport
• Transport in Switzerland

{{reflist}}

• [https://transweb.sjsu.edu/sites/default/files/01-13.pdf Implementation of Zürich’s Transit Priority Program] – Mineta Transportation Institute (October 2001)
• [https://microsite.geo.uzh.ch/giva/projects2024/Group10/index.html Public Transport in City of Zurich] – University of Zurich

{{Zurich}}