Zurich operates an exceptionally popular and efficient public transport system, encompassing boats, buses, trains, and trams across its extensive network. With over 300 million annual trips (excluding the S-Bahn's 208 million riders in 2023) and most residents living within 400 meters of a station, it's widely used; a 2010 microcensus showed 32% of residents regularly used trams or trolleybuses, with fewer than half owning a car.
The "Zurich model" is globally recognized for its world-best on-time performance and high frequency, leveraging around 4,000 sensors and intelligent algorithms to prioritize public transport at 400 junctions, enabling quick cross-city journeys. Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ), founded in 1896, operates local services, while Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV), established in 1990, manages the S-Bahn and an integrated proof-of-payment fare system covering all modes within designated zones. Planned upgrades for a net-zero 2040 target underscore its forward-thinking approach, while Zurich Airport, located 9km north, is conveniently connected to the city center by a 10-minute train ride.