With the expansion plans of the six clinics in the hospital district and the opening of the new children's hospital in Lengg at the end of 2024, the pressure on the occupancy of vehicles on Forchstrasse during rush hour will increase. In close cooperation with the affected districts, a solution was found that has advantages for the most part. However, this requires a major reshuffle of various tram lines. The first stage will be introduced from December 2025. From December 2026, all adjustments will be implemented:
"An expansion of the public transport service for the growing Lengg area is necessary, because more and more people are moving around in this area. With the 'Tram Network South', we can double the capacity between Stadelhofen and Rehalp during rush hour."
Michael Baumer, Head of the Department of Industrial Enterprises
- Line 5 will be upgraded and will enable direct connections between Enge station to the hospital cluster at the Balgrist stop and from Stadelhofen station to Albisgütli. This means that almost all S-Bahn trains from the most important workplace areas can be reached without changing trains at peak times
- Lines 4 and 5, which connect Stadelhofen station with Balgrist and Rehalp, are Flexity-compatible at all stops along the entire route, so the largest vehicles can be used
- Accelerated connection of the Balgrist to the main station
- More capacity between Enge and Bellevue at rush hour thanks to the additional tram line 8
- Important direct connections from the districts to the main station and the city centre will be retained almost everywhere: If line 8 can stop at Stockerstrasse with a new stop, as many as 85 percent of all passengers will receive better direct connections
- On routes with several lines, the journeys are significantly better distributed at all times of the day and can achieve a more even utilisation, thus reducing the waiting time for the next tram
In addition, this results in optimised connection options for the tram lines with each other. Journeys on shared routes will be distributed more regularly, and the most important direct connections will be retained. In addition, the "Tram Network South" project will also lay good foundations for a further expansion of the urban tram network from 2040 onwards.
- the elimination of the stop of line 8 at Stockerstrasse until the realisation of a new stop arrangement in the Stockerstrasse area
- the elimination of the direct connection between District 4 and Paradeplatz
The implementation will take place in the 2026 timetable year. Towards the 2025 timetable change, you will be comprehensively informed about the specific changes with various measures.
