class=”sc-3778e872-0 cKDKQr”>
Shortly before Easter, Alliance Swisspass dropped a bombshell: public transport will become more expensive from mid-December 2023. The industry association announced that it will increase ticket prices by an average of 4.3 percent. Second-class ticket prices will increase. 4.8 percent of the total.
At the same time, first-class wages remained relatively stable, up 1.9 percent.
No wonder this announcement ruined so many travelers’ family celebrations. And resistance quickly arose. Two days after the announcement of Alliance Swisspass, campaign organization Campax launched a petition. Your objection is “No more public transport hike!” More than 21,000 people signed it (as of Thursday).
Especially affecting the middle class
“As rail transport users and consumers, we reject the increase in public transport prices and urge Alliance Swisspass members to do the same. If prices need to be increased, first class must bear the bulk of the additional costs in solidarity,” write the petitioners. Media spokesperson Mona Niklaus, on second class tickets argues that the 4.8 percent price increase made will primarily affect the middle class, in other words, those who are already struggling with rising prices for health insurance premiums and rents.
“The federal government has spent billions of dollars on a bank bailout. Against this background, I find it particularly outrageous that those who are already suffering from inflation now bear the additional costs for public transport. » Why the federal government isn’t subsidizing public transport more is a mystery to him.
Reto Hügli, spokesperson for the Alliance Swisspass, says politicians must answer this question. It is not, however, that such possibilities have not been explored. “We are in close contact with the Federal Department of Transportation and have received clear signals that the public transportation industry must maintain its level of self-sufficiency.” After all, tariffs were set for the first time in seven years. In addition, the increase is justified.
New offer for young people
Transport companies have increased their public transport offerings by nearly ten percent in terms of available kilometers since 2016 and have invested money in modern vehicles. With the rise in prices, expenses such as wages, maintenance and energy have also increased significantly. “These financial difficulties can only be overcome through solidarity. “Through the savings efforts of the public transport industry, but also through ticket prices with public transport users,” says Hügli.
The basic stance is still that public transport must remain affordable for all. Prices for half-fee travel passes for youth, discounted day passes and travel passes for minors and children will not be increased. “GA Night” for CHF 99 will also be introduced in June. This means people under 25 can use the entire GA route network from 7pm.
These arguments are not of interest to Campax media spokesperson Niklaus. “I find it awkward to talk about solidarity when you have essentially second class pay.”
He hopes the petition will now set things in motion. Because the price increase is not certain yet. The decision must be approved by all members of the Alliance Swisspass and the price watcher. Voting continues until the beginning of June. “We urge members to reject this price increase and find a new solution,” Niklaus says.
Source :Blick
I’m Tim David and I work as an author for 24 Instant News, covering the Market section. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, my mission is to provide accurate, timely and insightful news coverage that helps our readers stay informed about the latest trends in the market. My writing style is focused on making complex economic topics easy to understand for everyone.
