Zurich Transport Authority- Description
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Zurich, Switzerland's largest city (364,000 population) is located in
northern Switzerland on Lake Zurich and the Limmat River.Since it is the
most important Swiss manufacturing and commercial center and the financial
capital of Switzerland, it is not surprising that its narrow-gauge
tramway network is the largest and probably most interesting one in
Switzerland.
History
The first efforts to establish a tramway network in Zurich date back to
the year 1864, when several railroad companies tried to start operations.
In 1881 the communities of Zurich, Enge, Riesbach and Aussersihl organised
a joint venture to establish a horse or steam tramway service. One year
later the joint-stock company "Aktiengesellschaft der Zürcher
Strassenbahn" was founded and three standard-gauge horse railway lines
were built with London Meston & Cie. as general contractor. All three
lines were opened to the public in 1882.
The "Elektrische Strassenbahn Zürich" (ESB) company, established in 1893
started serving the higher-lying suburbs of Zurich using metre-gauge
electric streetcars as had been done in the Vevey-Montreux-Chillon line.
The municipality of Zurich took over the tramway network of the ESB after
the incorporation of several neighbouring communities in 1896 and
established the first community tram network in Europe, operating as the
Zurich City Tram Company (StStZ).The horse-drawn tramline also merged with
StStZ in 1897 and was converted into a metre-gauge network in 1900. Many
new tramway routes were built in the inner city area around the turn of
the century and several private companies began to serve the outlying
areas. For example, the "Zentrale Zürichbahn" company opened the
Bellvue-Kirche Fluntern and Platte-Oberstrass routes in 1895 and the
Rigiplatz-Seilbahn Rigiviertel route in 1901. The "Strassenbahn
Zürich-Oerlikon-Seebach" followed by inaugurating streetcar service on the
routes from Central to Oerlikon and Seebach, from Oerlikon to
Schwamendingen and from Seebach to Glattbrugg. Other companies established
new lines linking the industrial areas of Höngg, Dietikon and Albisgütli.
Numerous private companies merged with StStZ after the turn of the
century. Many new lines were built in the 1920's which include the
connections to the zoo and to Triemli, Wollishofen and Albisrieden.
Unfortunately, some routes were taken out of service in the 1930's: these
include the ZOS lines to Glattbrugg and Schwamen-dingen and the
Schlieren-Weiningen section . The StStZ was renamed "Verkehrsbetriebe der
Stadt Zürich" (VBZ) in 1950. Service on route 1 and the route from
Farbhof to Schlieren was abandoned in 1954. In the following years several
subway projects failed to pass the plebiscite and were not realised due to
the pre-eminence of the automobile. A new combination highway-tram tunnel
in the Milchbuck area was opened in 1986. Because the platforms are
located between the tracks, the trains run on the left-hand side,
deviating from the remaining VBZ network. Hence, the tunnel entries are of
special interest: due to the grade-separation the Milchbuck portal is a
two-level crossing and the Schwamendingen entry is a grade-level crossing.
Operation
VBZ possesses a great variety of different streetcars, including vehicles
from several generations. Almost all vehicles are painted standard white
and blue, with advertising trams being the exception. Because of the
route alignment and passenger loads, various vehicle types are in service
on the different lines. The "Tram 2000" type is the largest series and so
is generally seen followed by the series 1601 - 1690. Trams built between
1949 and 1960 can be seen on some routes as well. Depending on the time of
day, the trams operate with two motor cars or with a trailer on various
lines. "Oldtimer" railcars are on exhibition in the Trammuseum (Depot
Wartau, check opening times) and can be hired for special excursions on
weekends. The so-called "Partytram" is very popular for birthday-parties
and is often used for company outings. In October 1996 VBZ ordered a total
of 17 units of modern low-floor trams from Adtranz. The first series of
six of the so called "Cobra" trams are expected to be commissioned in late
1999.
Fares
Using Zurich's railcars is inexpensive, with a 24-hour ticket that costs
as much as two single fare tickets. When staying longer, consider
purchasing a monthly ticket or a "Tageswahlkarte" that can be used on six
days of your choice. Special rates are available for users under 25 and
for holders of "half-tax" subscription tickets. Some tickets are sold
cheaper at the VBZ ticket counters, such as the one in the main railway
station! All means of public transportation( including Limmat river boats)
can be used with these tickets.
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Copyright © 1996 Klaus P.
Canavan, last change 07-26-98