Half of Swiss population commutes half an hour to work
Not quite 10% walk to work in Switzerland; more than half drive.
Keystone
Nine out of ten employees in Switzerland – or four million people in total – commuted to work last year, most of them to another municipality, and most by car.
In 2017, the average one-way Swiss commute was 15 kilometres (9.3 miles) and took 30.6 minutes, reported the Federal Statistical OfficeExternal link on Tuesday. Some 71% of commuters travelled to another city or town, up from 59% in 1990. The cantons of Basel City and Zug attract the most commuters from other cantons.
More than half (52%) of commuters drove to work; 31% used public transport; 9% walked; 7% biked (including e-bikes); and 2% rode scooters or motorcycles.
With 800,000 pursuing studies or training, students and apprentices aged 15 and up accounted for another category of commuter. On average, they spent 40 minutes travelling 21km each way in 2017.
Among students and trainees, 16% travelled by passenger car or school bus; 41% took the train and 26% took the tram or bus. About 8% walked, while 7% biked and another 2% rode motorised two-wheelers.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Geneva’s cross-border workers are less qualified, live further afield
This content was published on
A survey shows that cross-border workers in the Geneva area now travel greater distances to work and are less likely to be managers and executives.
This content was published on
The number of people living abroad but commuting to jobs in Switzerland has been increasing steadily in recent years and is now close to 320,000.
This content was published on
Too crowded, too expensive, too dirty – critics of the Swiss railways always find something to complain about. But what does the average commuter think?
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.