Hi,

I have been taking the bus for a couple of weeks now to and from work, sometimes I get charged 1.80Fr in the morning for a single journey, then 2.20Fr in the afternoon (with Halftax) for a return journey when all I want to do is go home.

Is there a certain time you can only buy return journeys?

Also, the bus drivers over here never check tickets, loads of people just get on and sit down, what's with that? Do these people not have tickets and are abusing the system?

Cheers

Maybe they have abonementen (monthly tickets) I think it would be a cheaper option for you too. I do not know if they are available were you live though. Good luck!

Probably check the rates at the ticket machine, but the price "should" not vary. How about an Abo (weekly or monthly tickets) or a multi-pass?

Bus drivers (edit - only for the yellow postal busses) check the tickets only at night, after 8 or 9 pm methinks. I get checked often enough on the train... there is a chance of abuse of course...

You can also buy a Mehrfahrkarte from the ticket machine or driver that contains 6 single trips at a discounted price. You validate it before boarding by stamping it at the ticket machine or in the orange machines on the bus near the driver.

A lot (read most) people who regularly use public transport have either monthly or yearly tickets (I have a yearly). The bus/tram drivers don't check tickets, but what happens periodically is the bus/tram is boarded by the ticket inspectors. They can be uniformed or plain clothed, but will always show ID

You can go for months without being checked, or you can be checked 4 times in a day - as what happened with me this summer.

First time caught without a ticket (or even the wrong ticket) will cost CHF80, 2nd time CHF120, 3rd time CHF150. After that it may go to court.

Each stamp with the Mehrfahrkarte is valid for 24 hrs.

You should ask the friendly guy or girl at the Ticket office in your town or village, they'll tell you your options and which one is the cheapest.

Sounds strange to me. Probably there is some misunderstanding. The best thing is to check on the website of the Verkehrverbund or bus operator to work out how their ticket system works, or ask at a customer service office. The bus drivers may not necessarily have the time to explain the intricacies of the system and may sell you what they think is best for you in their eyes which may not necessarily be what you really need.

^

Unlikely

No, most people use season or annual passes. I think the number of people abusing the system is in the region of 0.5 to 2 percent (depending on the town), which is a much lower figure than in other countries. This is partly due to the rather severe penalties when caught. Having said that I have several times seen people being let off in inspections despite the fact that (in my opinion) they were obviously trying it on.

Not around here it isn't. In our Zürich region a MFK - Mehrfahrtenkarte - 'several journey card' with six journeys on it is valid for half an hour, an hour, or maybe even longer, depending on the distance. The time limit is shown on the ticket.
The Tageswahlkarte - 'choice of which day ticket' - with six 'fields' is each time valid for 24 hours from the time stamped.
However, the MFK which go outside the ZVV (Zürich travel area) are only valid for six single journeys. One of mine is valid for 4 hours but, as opposed to the ZVV ones, is only valid in the one direction.

There may be other rules in other regions - there usually are.

__________________
Longbyt

You need to read the conditions on the back of the Mehrfahrkarte tickets carefully.

In Zug and Basel it clearly states for single trips only (einfache Fahrt). In Zug, 1 zone tickets are valid for 1 hour, and 2 zone tickets for 2 hours - but you can only travel in one direction. The ticket should be stamped again for the return trip or you risk the CHF 80 fine.

Can I just tag on to this thread? My sister is coming to visit me for 3 days. Which travel card should I buy for her? We will be staying inside Zurich city.

CHF8 day pass x 3 was the answer.