Public Transport Union
The Swiss umbrella association of public transport companies, representing rail, bus, trolleybus and boat operators since 1889.
Last updated September 27, 2026
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Overview
The Public Transport Union (German: Verband öffentlicher Verkehr, VöV; French: Union des transports publics, UTP) is the umbrella organisation of public transport companies in Switzerland. Founded in 1889 as a cooperative of nine narrow-gauge railway companies, it has grown into a national association representing rail, bus, trolleybus and boat operators. Its membership includes 128 ordinary members (public transport companies) and 180 members from the wider economy and industry. The organisation is headquartered in Bern and operates under a cooperative legal structure. The VöV/UTP defends the interests of its members before political bodies, authorities and third parties, coordinates activities at the national level, and provides a platform for experience sharing. It also offers continuing education and industry guidelines for public transport. It works closely with the SwissPass alliance and hosts the public transport mediation service, except for cases involving Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich, Bernmobil, the urban buses of Winterthur, and Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe. The association is active in policy areas such as the implementation of the Disability Equality Act in public transport, the promotion of public transport (including a 2021 symposium on stagnating modal share), and the 2040 energy strategy aiming to increase energy efficiency by 30% compared to 2022 and accelerate decarbonisation. It publishes newsletters and technical information, including VöV NEWS, VöV INSIDE, TECH NEWS and RTE NEWS, and operates a webshop for event registrations, exams and the RTE shop. Historically, the organisation was founded in Zurich in 1889 as the Union des chemins de fer secondaires suisse. It changed its name to Union d'entreprises suisses de transport (UST) in 1924, then to Union des entreprises suisses de transports publics (UST) in 1955, and adopted its current name, Union des transports publics, in 1988. It moved to its current premises in Bern in 1967. In 1999, Swiss Federal Railways (CFF/SBB) and CarPostal joined. The association has been involved in major sector initiatives such as the founding of the rail slot allocation service in 2006 and the smartrail 4.0 programme launched in 2014 with CFF, BLS, SOB, RhB and TPF. The VöV/UTP continues to shape Swiss public transport policy, advocating for coordinated timetables, integrated ticketing, and sustainable mobility. Its recent activities include the election of a new association leadership in 2026 and the launch of a new webshop.
History
The Public Transport Union was founded in Zurich in 1889 as the Union des chemins de fer secondaires suisse (Union of Swiss Secondary Railways) by nine narrow-gauge railway companies. In 1924, the BLS and BT joined, and the organisation changed its name to Union d'entreprises suisses de transport (UST). Membership continued to grow, reaching 142 members in 1930. During World War II, in 1940, the organisation ensured the supply of lubricants and rails to private railways, reaching 11,502 tonnes in 1951. In 1955, about thirty new members joined, and the organisation adopted a new name: Union des entreprises suisses de transports publics (UST). In 1967, it moved to its current premises in Bern. In 1988, it adopted its current name, Union des transports publics (UTP). In 1999, the Swiss Federal Railways (CFF/SBB) and CarPostal joined the organisation. Following the Rail Reform 2, the rail slot allocation service was founded in 2006 in collaboration with CFF, SOB and BLS. In 2014, CFF, BLS, SOB, RhB and TPF launched the smartrail 4.0 programme in partnership with UTP. Following this initiative, the Federal Office of Transport tasked the industry with the gradual implementation of the proposed measures and programmes. In terms of publications, from 1945 the organisation published the magazine Les transports publics, renamed Revue UST in 1967, then tt-Revue in 1998. In collaboration with CFF, UTP participated in the publication of the magazine Via until spring 2022, when it was discontinued for economic reasons. The UTP has taken various policy positions: in 2014 it supported the financing and expansion of railway infrastructure (FAIF), which was accepted in a referendum. In 2016, it opposed the so-called 'cash cow' initiative that would have allocated 1.5 billion francs to road traffic; the initiative was rejected with 70.8% of votes against. In September 2019, amid debates on global warming, UTP declared itself in favour of introducing a CO2 tax, noting unfair competition from aviation, whose tickets are not taxed. In February 2023, following the introduction of 30 km/h speed limits in urban areas requested by the Union of Swiss Cities, UTP took a position against a generalisation of such limits. Following several cantonal popular initiatives, UTP and the Transport and Environment Association took a position against free public transport, citing financial and tariff reasons and noting that examples of free public transport abroad have not led to a modal shift towards public transport. The UTP also oversees the implementation of laws such as the Disability Equality Act in public transport, which came into force in 2004. Requirements have been met in the railway sector, but implementation in the road sector, particularly through low-floor buses, has faced delays mainly due to bus stop infrastructure, which is the responsibility of cantons and municipalities. To meet the legal requirements, UTP publishes a guide summarising the legal bases and presenting successful experiences. In 2021, UTP observed that the modal share of public transport stagnated at 28%, despite good coordination among actors. It organised a symposium in Bern with Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga and representatives of CFF, CarPostal and RBS to define a plan of measures to improve modal share, including on-demand bus services and a subscription valid for all types of mobility. To meet federal objectives, UTP defined its energy strategy for public transport up to 2040. It plans to increase energy efficiency by 30% compared to 2022 figures, increase the share of renewable energies, and accelerate the decarbonisation of public transport.
- 2026
New leadership elected: Fabian Schmid (President), Serge Collaud (Vice President), Yves Marclay (Board).
- 2026
New VöV webshop goes online on 8 September.
- 2023
Takes position against generalisation of 30 km/h speed limits.
- 2022
Magazine Via discontinued in spring.
- 2021
Organises symposium on stagnating modal share (28%).
- 2019
Declares support for CO2 tax.
- 2016
Opposes 'cash cow' initiative; rejected with 70.8% against.
- 2014
smartrail 4.0 programme launched with CFF, BLS, SOB, RhB and TPF.
- 2014
Supports FAIF (rail infrastructure financing) accepted in referendum.
- 2006
Rail slot allocation service founded with CFF, SOB and BLS.
Products and positioning
Umbrella association and industry voice for Swiss public transport, promoting coordinated, customer-friendly and sustainable mobility.
VöV NEWS
Public newsletter with current affairs, statements and facts.
VöV INSIDE
Public newsletter with technical information on bus, regional passenger transport, cargo, TV, education, HR, finance.
TECH NEWS
Newsletter for VöV members with technical and operational information on railways.
RTE NEWS
Public newsletter with technical information on the 'Regelwerk Technik Eisenbahn RTE'.
VöV Webshop
Online shop for event registrations, exams and the RTE shop.
Stellenbörse
Job board for public transport companies.
Marketing campaigns
- Promotion of public transport (2021)
- Energy Strategy 2040
- Support for FAIF (2014)
- Opposition to 'cash cow' initiative (2016)
- Support for CO2 tax (2019)
- Opposition to generalised 30 km/h limits (2023)
- Opposition to free public transport
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