I have no proof of this either way. Tried to look it up and found nothing.
I was asked for my Passport and my Permis B when I applied and my mother was asked for her Passport so that they could check and ensure that there was NO visa for Switzerland in it when she got the month demi-tariff.

I know not what the actual rules are. I am going by direct experience as well.

BTW, they don't really have Jobsworths in this country. Not like in the UK and other places that I have been. Doesn't mean that they aren't annoying but there is a difference.

Anyone find actual proof, not just anecdotal evidence, that you don't or do need to prove residency for the annual demi-tariff I would be fascinated to know of it. Experience obviously doesn't prove anything in this case as both cases are covered.

Thanks,
Brian.

You mean, like an actual email from SBB confirming that buying one-year half-tax cards (real ones, with the photo on) for my UK resident but frequently visiting parents and having them delivered to my address would be ok:

Half Price Train Card



It went fine; I'd printed out the emails ready to have a tussle about it, but the ticket office (in Morges) sold them without batting an eyelid. They even reposted them for free after they were returned to sender when I forgot to add my parents' surname to our letter box for a few days...

kodokan

Wow. Because the office in Morges was the one where I bought the wife's and my card. And I remember that I had to have a Swiss residency permit to go with my US Passport.

So much for the "so called" rules!

Of course, it may be that UK citizens can buy the card without further paperwork as they are from the EU.
For example, I needed a visa for my US Passport before coming here and my wife didn't.

Now that I am thinking about it, the other thing is that the application also was for the combination 1/2 fare and Visa card. Maybe the credit card portion requires the Permis B or C. I know that you can't buy a cell phone or Sim Card without one. I didn't get the Visa card but the Application form was the same, you just ticked a different box and included some financial information.

Thanks,
Brian.

The application forms for Half Fare card with or without VISA are not the same. However, the application forms are the same for Half Fare with CREDIT or PREPAID VISA.

For the Half Fare card without VISA they only need to know from which date you want it to be active and to which adress they should send the card.

From http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisemarkt/...stellung.htm?=

"You should order your Half-Fare Card about 10 days before you want to use it. We will require a good-quality passport photograph (photobase paper), which we will digitise and store on our system for 10 years (5 years for under 25 year-olds) for ticketing purposes only. If you decide to extend your Half-Fare Card after it has expired, we will automatically use the photograph stored on our system for the new Card.

You receive the Half-Fare Card and in the practical credit card format by mail within 10 days. If you need it sooner than that, we issue a card for the transition period, so that you can profit from half fares without delay.

Please pay your Half-Fare Card when you order it. Apart from cash, we accept all current credit cards and "Postcard"

Half-Fare Cards that are no longer valid, can be left at the station to be recycled."

A VERY IMPORTANT SENTENCE IS MISSING IN THE ENGLISH VERSION:

from the German version of the web page: Wenn Sie Ihr Halbtax-Abo bestellen, bringen Sie bitte auch einen Pass oder eine Identitätskarte mit.
from the French version of the web page: Lorsque vous commandez votre abo demi-tarif, présentez également au guichet votre passeport ou votre carte d’identité.

This sentence is unfortunately missing in the English version of the web page but it clearly says that passport is enough for buying the standard Half Fare card (without VISA).

If anyone wishes to cite the rules in cases like this.. T654 section 8 (general halbtax issuing rules) and section 91 (1-year halbtax). Nothing here makes any mention of residency requirements. All you need is an address to send it to and some form of ID (remember, if you're asked for an "ausweis" they don't necessarily mean an Ausländerausweis - a passport might well be enough. It was when I got my first halbtax.)

For some bedtime reading:
http://extranet.ch-direct.org/dcs/users/71/T654_d.pdf

An address in Switzerland will most likely make things simpler for them to send you the card. When my other half bought her halbtax at Zürich HB travel centre the clerk did a bit of tooth-sucking and asked if she had a Swiss address they could use. I've even heard rumours of the plastic card getting sent to the station and the buyer getting an email asking them to come and collect it - although it might have happened, it'd still very much count as "above and beyond the call of duty" for the staff. I'd guess.

The Halbtax with Visa card is obviously a different kettle of fish - you're applying for a credit card if you apply for one of those, so expect to have to produce various proofs of residency.

Why didn't you guys just listen to me the first time? Just as I predicted, this thread turned into a debate about whether or not non-residents can buy a one-year half-fare card. In the end, enough people offered proof that it is possible and silenced the people who believed the other way. This happens every six months on this forum.

i'm travelling to Novartis from Geneva airport and though i usually use the train to Nyon where they are based. Novartis for quickness want me to get a taxi, they say i can use my credit card is this correct?

Regards

Selina

Definitely true. In 2008 I spent six weeks in Switzerland, so did not buy the one month card. My passport plus pictures were all that was required. Since I did not have an address I picked my card up (processing takes some time) at the Sion station (I bought it at Geneva airport). I was given a temporary card until the real one was processed.

Disagreeing with ChrisW on CFF/SBB matters is not a good idea, he seems to know more about the system than those who work there

....and the bus system in Lausanne is great for tooling about the city. Just make sure to purchase the proper type of ticket you need! Welcome, in advance, to Lausanne!