The Zurich model is the approach by the city of Zurich, Switzerland, which allows its public transportation system to achieve and maintain a high market share. Many other cities have emulated elements of it, especially when new tram or light rail systems were introduced.[1][2]

History

In the 1970s, Zurich was planning to move many of the tram lines in its central area into tunnels. This project was rejected in a referendum. In the 1970s, a project to create an underground railway was similarly rejected.[3][4][5]

Despite the failures of these attempts to provide Zurich with a different kind of transportation system, public transportation in Zurich has maintained a high modal split, with 65% of people commuting within the city doing so by public transport and only 17% using cars.[3][5] In his book Status Anxiety, Alain de Botton has suggested why the model is so effective:

Elements of the model

Separation of lanes and prioritisation at intersections

The model has the following characteristics:[1][2]

Public transport entities

The public transportation system in the city of Zurich consists of the following elements, which are part of the Zurich transportation network (Zürcher Verkehrsverbund, ZVV):

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Zurich – a model of transport excellence". Transport for Melbourne. 23 November 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Why Zurich is a Model for Public Transportation". Metro Magazine. 1 March 2003. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  3. 1 2 Moglestue, Andrew (April 2005). "Zürich: Top city — thanks to light rail". Tramways & Urban Transit. Ian Allan Ltd / Light Rail Transit Association. pp. 130–134.
  4. ↑ Moglestue, Andrew (May 2005). "Zürich: The Cobra rules, all above ground". Tramways & Urban Transit. Ian Allan Ltd / Light Rail Transit Association. pp. 180–184.
  5. 1 2 Moglestue, Andrew (December 2005). "Zürich: A city and its trams". Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  6. ↑ de Botton, Alain (2004). Status Anxiety. Vintage Books. p. 250.
  7. ↑ "Network maps". Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ). Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  8. ↑ Garrick, Norman; McCahill, Christopher (8 August 2012). "Lessons From Zurich's Parking Revolution". CityLab. The Atlantic. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zurich_model