Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe

Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe AG (ZVB) is a Swiss transport company headquartered in the city of Zug. It operates an extensive bus network in the Canton of Zug and adjacent regions, running 28 bus lines in the canton and 7 lines in the Seetal-Freiamt area. The company's fleet includes diesel buses, electric buses, and passenger trailers. ZVB's buses are recognisable by their blue-and-white livery, and the network serves over 400 stops. The company's origins date back to 1913, when the Elektrische Strassenbahnen im Kanton Zug (ESZ) opened overland tram lines. After World War II, the company transitioned to bus operations, adopting the name Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe in 1951. The last tram line was converted to buses in 1955. Since then, ZVB has continuously modernised its fleet, introducing electric buses and positioning itself as an e-competence centre. In December 2023, bus lines were renumbered into the 600 range. ZVB is a public transport provider serving both daily commuters and leisure travellers. It offers services such as annual passes, bike carriage, and event-related offers. The company is also involved in vocational training and has received recognition for its electric mobility efforts. Its website provides real-time departure information, disruption notices, and news about the network.

The history of Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe (ZVB) begins in the 19th century with postal coach services. The first postal coach route from Zug via Ägeri to Sattel ran in 1852. In August 1904, the Aktiengesellschaft für Automobilverkehr im Kanton Zug introduced an automobile service from Zug via Hinterburg to Menzingen, and in early October 1904, a service to the Ägerital was added, which also took over postal routes on 1 November 1905. These early automobile lines were not yet part of ZVB. The legal predecessor of ZVB was the Elektrische Strassenbahnen im Kanton Zug (ESZ). The ESZ opened overland tram lines on 9 September 1913: Zug–Oberägeri, Zug–Baar–Talacher, and Nidfurren–Menzingen. This marked the foundation of today's company. The trams replaced the earlier automobile services, which had been unreliable and uncomfortable. On 1 November 1951, the company changed its name to Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe (ZVB) to reflect the shift to the "modern" diesel bus. The overland tram operations on the Zug–Talacher and Nidfurren–Menzingen routes were discontinued on 16 May 1953 and replaced by buses. On 21 May 1955, the Zug–Oberägeri line was also closed, and from 22 May 1955, ZVB operated purely as a bus company. To continue freight transport, a FBW L 50 ED truck with an open bridge and an open two-axle trailer was acquired after the tram and freight car operations ceased. This truck was replaced in 1975 by a Saurer 5DF with a loading ramp. A neighbouring and partly closely connected company was the Zuger Berg- und Strassenbahn (ZBB), which opened the Zug–Schönegg tram line on 20 March 1907. On 14 May 1907, its continuation, the metre-gauge funicular Schönegg–Zugerberg (1261 m long, 366 m height difference), opened and still exists today. The ZBB also operated the tram service on the ESZ line Zug–Baar until its closure in 1953. The ZBB discontinued its own tram operation on the Zug–Schönegg line on 10 May 1959, as the last tram operator in the region, and replaced it with buses. The company was renamed Zuger Bergbahn und Bus (ZBB) on 30 May 1959. In the late 1990s, ZBB handed over its bus operations to ZVB and changed its name to Zugerbergbahn (ZBB) in December 1999. With the opening of the Zug Stadtbahn on 12 December 2004, the route network and timetable were adapted to the new conditions. The resulting improvements in public transport services led to increasing passenger numbers. As of 10 December 2023, the bus lines received new three-digit numbers in the 600 range; line 1 became line 601, and so on. ZVB operates over 400 stops on its network. Its buses are blue and white. The fleet has evolved from diesel buses to include electric buses, and the company has positioned itself as an e-competence centre, receiving an e-certificate as the second operation to do so.

• 2023

  Bus lines renumbered into 600 range.

• 2004

  Zug Stadtbahn opens; network and timetable adapted.

• 1955

  Last tram line Zug–Oberägeri closed; ZVB becomes pure bus operator.

• 1953

  Tram lines Zug–Talacher and Nidfurren–Menzingen replaced by buses.

• 1951

  Company renamed Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe (ZVB).

• 1913

  ESZ opens overland tram lines, foundation of today's company.

• 1904

  Automobile service from Zug to Menzingen and Ägerital introduced.

• 1852

  First postal coach route from Zug via Ägeri to Sattel.

Regional public transport provider focused on reliability, sustainability, and customer service in the Canton of Zug.

• Public bus transport

  28 bus lines in Canton Zug and 7 lines in Seetal-Freiamt.

• Electric buses

  Part of the fleet, with ZVB positioning as an e-competence centre.

• Passenger trailers

  Used in bus operations.

1. 1Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe official websitezvb.ch
2. 2Geschichtenzvb.ch
3. 3Angebote und Serviceszvb.ch
4. 4Über unszvb.ch
5. 5Wikidata entrywikidata.org
6. 6Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org