Taking the tram

Normally I've been walking to work, a pleasant hike of about 20 minutes.  However, it was raining so hard this morning that I was almost tempted not to go to the office.  Then, at just the right time, the rain slackened a bit, so I trudged off the office after all.  But, given the continuing rain, I took the #9 tram instead:

I love the trams here, and also the buses and trains.  In fact, the public transport system in Zurich - and indeed across Switzerland - is pretty much without equal.  Besides being modern, clean, fast, frequent, ubiquitous and phenomenally on-time, it's also unbelievably cheap.  That's because anyone can by a monthly city (Zone 10) pass for less than $100 - just $3/day to use as much of the system as often as you like.  That's particularly great for me, because I use it extensively to explore all the nooks and crannies of the city.  Here's a picture of my closest and most constant companion in Zurich, my Zone 10 Netzpass:

With my Netzpass in hand, there are no end such nooks and crannies to explore, and that's without leaving Zurich! :-)  A whole other world awaits those willing to take in a few more transport zones.  In fact, if you are willing to forego traveling before 9a on weekdays, you can get a monthly pass -  for the same price as Zone 10 alone - that covers a very big extended area.  This even covers most of Lake Zurich, including the many public ferries that regularly ply its waters, stopping at any number of cute lakeside villages along the way.  On a nice day, with Netzpass in pocket, it is completely free to take a cruise across about 2/3rds of the lake - the whole lake with a moderately priced additional zone extension.  You can also head up to the Uetliberg, Zurich's highest peak, for a breathtaking view of the city and the lake and, in the other direction, into the surrounding fields and forests. 

Moreover, for shorter stays in Zurich, a similar pass is available for one, two or three days, and also includes admission to many museums and other attractions.  The three-day version is just $30, a fantastic bargain.  This certainly doesn't jibe with most people's perception that Zurich is an expensive place to visit.  In fact, a lot of things are this way - that is, the 'list price' is high, but those in the know can get great bargains.  That's one of the reasons I keep coming back to this wonderful place.

Anyway, after a day at work, I also took the tram back home. Once I got home, my friend Christophe informed me that some mail had arrived for Lynnie at his address. Once again, I got to exploit my Netzpass, grabbing the tram across town to Christophe's office, and then back again to the apartment. Quick, easy, and no tickets to buy.

By the way, the whole thing works on the honor system or, as the Swiss call it 'Selbstkontrol' - literally self-control.  That is, you are responsible for making sure you have a valid pass or ticket when you take public transport.  The transit authority then makes spot checks, and levies high fines (minimum $100) if you are caught without a ticket/pass.  Repeat offenders get worse fines and potentially jail-time.  It seems to work, and it means that you just get on and off anywhere or anytime you please without having to go through turnstiles.  And, if you have a pass, you never even have to buy a ticket. What a great system!

Well, tomorrow Lynnie returns, and life gets back to 'normal', whatever that is :-)