Future Public Transport Zurich

As part of a test planning process, a future vision for public transportation in Zurich was developed. The focus was on the future network systems, including lines and nodes, coordinated with an urban structure featuring new centralities and dense city neighborhoods. The customer perspective was central to the process.

A key element of the design is a new, structuring outer ring line operating as a semi-metro system. This system connects the city’s priority development areas (Wiedikon, Albisrieden, Altstetten, Oerlikon, Schwamendingen) and serves as the interface to the rapidly growing metropolitan area. The line also connects important regional development hubs that are currently poorly accessible, such as ETH Hönggerberg and the hospital clusters at Triemli and Lengg. Due to challenging topography and many narrow urban spaces, parts of the line run underground as a premetro system.

Attractive transfer points are crucial. The integration of three scales is emphasized here. The ring system is deliberately connected to existing neighborhood train stations, with Altstetten and Oerlikon stations upgraded to fully-fledged intercity hubs. Additionally, good transfer options are provided to the radial tram lines and to a new, structuring urban system of trolleybus lines within the neighborhoods.