A new study from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) has revealed the Swiss cantons whose residents use public transport the most. Though we often see Switzerland as a land of railways, the report found that when it comes to getting to work, the car remains king.

How do people in Switzerland get to work?

In its study of 3,7 million workers in Switzerland, the FSO noted that the way people commute is starting to change, albeit slowly. In 2023, they found that 51,3 percent of commuters used a car to get to work, a 1,3 percentage point drop compared to 2019.

The FSO noted that after a brief surge during the COVID pandemic, the number of car commuters in the alpine nation has fallen. The biggest decreases were reported in Nidwalden, where 6,2 percent fewer commuters drive compared to 2019. Significant falls were also reported in Appenzell Innerrhoden (-4,5 percent), Obwalden (-4,3) and Geneva (-4,2 percent).

However, Canton Bern, St. Gallen and Thurgau saw car use increase compared to 2019. What's more, drivers still make up a majority of commuters in all but six Swiss cantons (Basel-Stadt, Geneva, Zurich, Basel-Land, Zug and Bern).

Geneva overtakes Zurich as Switzerland's top public transport hub

The report also announced that as of 2023, Geneva has overtaken Zurich as the public transport capital of Switzerland. In the region, 46,7 percent of Genevan commuters said they got to or from work by bus, train or tram, 1,4 percentage points more than in 2019. Zurich (46,4 percent), Basel-Stadt (45,9 percent) and Basel-Land (37 percent) rounded out the top four.

Geneva’s high score was attributed to the launch of the Léman Express in 2019. As of February 2024, the six new rail lines cater to 80.000 riders a day, far above official predictions. With the expansion of Geneva Station on track, plans afoot to expand public transport services by 30 percent by 2030, and a possible underground network in the pipeline, the number of travellers using the network is expected to rise even further.

Over a third of Basel residents commute by foot or bike

By contrast, only 8,7 percent of commuters in Appenzell Innerrhoden use public transport to get to work, though ridership has risen 2,9 percentage points since 2019. Uri (11,4 percent) and Obwalden (11,9 percent) rounded out the bottom three.

When it came to walking and cycling to work, Basel took the top spot with 37,8 percent of employees, followed by Graubünden (28,9 percent) and Uri (27,8 percent). By contrast, only 12,4 percent of workers in Fribourg and 13,7 percent of Aargau workers walk or cycle to clock in.

Which Swiss cantons use public transport the most (and least)?

In all, here are the 13 cantons whose workers use public transportation the most:

1. Geneva (46,7 percent)
2. Zurich (46,4 percent)
3. Basel-Stadt (45,9 percent)
4. Basel-Land (37 percent)
5. Vaud (34,5 percent)
6. Zug (32,4 percent)
7. Bern (30 percent)
8. Schaffhausen (29,2 percent)
9. Neuchâtel (27 percent)
10. Aargau (24,5 percent)
11. Lucerne (24,5 percent)
12. Solothurn (22 percent)
13. St. Gallen (21,5 percent)

Here are the cantons which use public transportation the least:

1. Appenzell Innerrhoden (8,7 percent)
2. Uri (11,4 percent)
3. Obwalden (11,9 percent)
4. Glarus (16,1 percent)
5. Thurgau (16,2 percent)
6. Valais (17,1 percent)
7. Jura (17,3 percent)
8. Graubünden (19 percent)
9. Appenzell Ausserrhoden (19,4 percent)
10. Fribourg (19,8 percent)
11. Schwyz (20,1 percent)
12. Ticino (20,4 percent)
13. Nidwalden (20,9 percent)

For more information, check out the FSO website.

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