Public Transport
Basel has a public transport network with excellent coverage, characterised by punctuality, fast connections and high capacity. The so-called ‘Umweltabonnement’ (a monthly ecologically-friendly travel card) introduced in 1984 was the first of its kind in Europe. Today, holders of a U-Abo are entitled to use all public transport in the northwest of Switzerland – bus, tram, ‘Regio-S-Bahn’ (regional urban railway) – at a favourable price, and this has proven to be an excellent alternative to a private car.
Tickets for trams and buses can be obtained from the ticket machines at every stop. Monthly cards and multi trip cards are available from the official BVB counter on the Barfüsserplatz, and timetables can be downloaded from the Internet. The regional and international Regio-S-Bahn connects Basel with its hinterland, as well as with France and Germany. The network is steadily expanding.
