More and more people in Ticino are choosing public transport

Post on: 16.05.2025

Public transport: In recent years, public transport in Ticino has experienced significant growth. A survey conducted by the Department of the Territory analyzed the changes in mobility habits between 2019 and 2023, both of residents and cross-border workers. The results show a clear shift towards more sustainable forms of mobility, also thanks to the opening of the Ceneri Base Tunnel.

The train convinces more and more commuters: Lugano-Bellinzona and Lugano-Locarno in the lead

The efficiency and speed of rail transport have encouraged many commuters to leave their cars. In particular:

• On the Lugano-Bellinzona route, 16% of users chose the train instead of the car.
• On the Lugano-Locarno line, the share is 12%.

This is mainly due to the time taken to distance halved and an enhanced offer.

Public transport | More marked changes in urban centres

The survey shows significant differences depending on the area:

• In Lugano and Locarno, where public transport is more widespread, there is a 7% and 6% drop in the use of cars or motorcycles as the main means of transport.
• In peripheral areas, such as the Tre Valli and the Vedeggio, the changes were less evident: -2% and no change, respectively.

The use of public transport is also growing for shopping and leisure

The change does not only affect home-work journeys. More and more people are also choosing buses and trains for shopping, leisure and daily errands.

Those who have a season ticket (Generale or Arcobaleno), use public transport in 25% of cases even for non-work activities. Among those who do not have a subscription, this percentage drops to 2%.

Free parking? Car use increases

The possibility of parking for free has a strong impact on mobility choices:

• If the parking space is free, 72% of users choose the car.
• When parking is paid, car use drops to 46%, while more sustainable choices such as public transport or cycling are increasing.

A useful snapshot for future policies

In addition to drawing a picture of current habits, The survey provides strategic indications for designing more targeted mobility policies, oriented towards sustainability and quality of life.

To learn more about the data and download the full report, you can visit: www.ti.ch/indmob