It is part of the contents of the wallets of many Swiss people of all ages and backgrounds but it should soon disappear: the cardboard multi-journey card. The public transport sector is considering eliminating this offer and all the machines that obliterate them with it, by the end of 2025. The Federal Council responded this week to the concerns of National Councilor Martina Bircher (UDC/AG), who deplores the decision. “Why do we have to look for a new solution when there already exists an offer that works and is appreciated by the public?” asks the elected official.
First, the decision is not final. “The future of mechanical obliterators will be decided in summer 2024,” indicates the Federal Council. But everyone will agree that these little orange machines located on station platforms do not seem to be at the cutting edge of technology. You could even say that they are really old-fashioned.
“Many obliterators have reached the end of their life and need to be replaced. However, the acquisition of spare parts is becoming more and more difficult, because they are sometimes no longer available,” notes the government. Above all, it costs a lot. There are around 15,000 machines of this type in Switzerland at the moment. Each has a price of 3265 francs. “The annual costs of the 15,000 cancellers reach 10 million francs,” notes the Federal Council, while the use of cardboard cards decreases year after year.
The very principle of the multi-course card is not necessarily in danger, it is above all the physical card which is. The branch is studying how to replace it with a digital solution. However, for Martina Bircher, “multi-course cards are particularly practical for children and the elderly”, who happen to be those who do not necessarily have a smartphone on hand. On this aspect, the Federal Council is clear. “The Federal Council approves the development of digitalization in public transport”, while saying that the sector must also offer solutions for travelers without smartphones.
