Hi all, I searched a bit for "tram + geneva , and transit" and nothing came up.

From what I gathered from some fellow GVA residents, starting on Dec11, 2011, there will be a massive change to the tram system with only 3 trams running full time (but more often), and on their own dedicated lines.

Has anyone else heard much about these planned changes?

Here is the link to the "planned changes" - my french isn't good enough to really boil down what the new system will look like - at least according to the "no changes/some changes/etc." but maybe someone (in the know) can de-codify what this all means for a daily commuter.

And also, does anyone believe that it will be weeks of disarray and confusion before the dust eventually settles? Or will it be a quick Swiss-perfectly-planned-transition?

http://www.tpg.ch/fr/horaires-et-res...2011.php#trams

Thanks,
LM

I wasn't aware of this.. but it doesn't seem to affect me much.. apart from cancelling the 13

There's Switzerland...and then there is Geneva. Not quite Swiss, not quite French, the worst of both. The city that didn't think to put traffic lights at a major intersection (22 cantons) during construction work because it was "temporary."

Accordingly, I predict a giant cluster. I hope I am wrong.

There are major changes to the whole Geneva transport system with the timetable changes on December 11. Currently several of the tram lines share portions of the network and that will end, the result being there will be only 3 lines, 12, 14 and 15 all running independently but with connection points (Cornavin, Bel Air, Plainpalais and Stand). The frequency of all these lines will be increased significantly and the 14 will make use of the new extension to Bernex.
The bus network will also undergo changes, but I really can't detail them here, but can only refer you to the tpg website.
From experience there will probably be chaos on the Monday 12th with many people getting lost, but it will sort itself out fairly quickly.

This has been in the planning stage for the last few years (and frequently mentioned in the press); basically they're inaugurating the new tram route to Bernex that weekend and from the 11th of December there will only be three trams running in three large circular loops. As far as I can work out they will only have one interconnecting point, Bel-Air.
So expect total chaos on Monday the 12th, as it's now going to be impossible to cross the city without changing at least once if you use the trams.

catandmouse has found a couple of other crossing points, phew!

Yes, I expect total chaos as well. Geneva TPG never runs on swiss time anyhow, so it will be worse. Publishing a 'schedule' is truly a waste of paper/bytes.

And running trams more frequently, gag, just more mayhem. They still have auto and tram traffic sharing the roads and the lights/intersections are still disasterous, you will just have 3 trams in a row, with everyone cramming to get on the first one making more of a backlog, yet not another tram for 20 minutes thereafter.

Affects me directly - I'm loosing 3 trams that I could use previously to get to work...Now I only have 1 with an obligatory transfer. I'll see how this is going to play out - but I expect major delays. Makes me think about starting to drive again.

13 i think is mostly the same as the 15. Anyway the changes affects most people but in my case luckily not much. I will still be able to go where i want but it would involve a bit more walking. Shame my favorite bus (7) is changed

Fares are also increasing on the 11th December.

http://www.tpg.ch/fr/titres-de-trans...arifs_2012.php

I tried to cut and paste the new tariffs but the formatting is off - here is the link to the new prices. : http://www.tpg.ch/fr/titres-de-trans...arifs_2012.php

I'm losing two trams as well (one of which went directly to Gare Cornavin = previously very convenient) - so these new changes prob. won't be much of an improvement for me... but maybe for the city.

So, with some formatting issues, here are the basic tariffs and the monthly/annual amounts - no change for a monthly abonnement - 70CHF it seems = that is good news.

Tarif plein
Tarif réduit*
« Tout Genève »
CHF 3.50
CHF 2.50
« Tout Genève » – 1ère classe
CHF 6.00
CHF 4.30


Abonnements
Abonnement unireso « Tout Genève »
Tout le canton de Genève à votre portée.
Annuel Mensuel
Adulte
CHF 700
CHF 70
Senior*
CHF 500
CHF 50
Junior**
CHF 450
CHF 45