Zürcher Verkehrsverbund
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The ZVV (German abbreviation for Zürcher Verkehrsverbund, translated into English as Zürich Transport Network or Zürich Traffic Network) is a public transportation network system, combining rail, bus, tram, trolleybus, lake boat and cable car services in the canton of Zürich as well as Rapperswil and Pfäffikon SZ.
Established in May 1990, it first comprised of an elaborate web of railway lines. They were prefixed with the letter S (German for Schnellzug or rapid train in English). S-Lines 1 through 43 (with some lines missing) now form part of the S-Bahn Network. A self-service/penalty fare system is in force on all S-Bahn trains; those without a valid ticket face a minimum fine of CHF 80.
The ZVV system works by creating a ticket network. Instead of different fares by kilometre or by destination, the zone concept was introduced. There are zones numbered 10-83 (approx.), with even Lake Zürich divided in part into different zones. A user of the transportation network would purchase a base ticket for a certain number of zones (with the minimum being one or two zones, the price is the same). Upgrades to first class and extension tickets are available as supplements to the basic ticket.
Trips by fast trains, regional trains, InterRegio, InterCity, RegioExpress, ICN, ICE and Cisalpino lines within the network also have the network/zone system applied.
The ZVV system has worked exceptionally well, with the S-Bahn system being adopted in other regions as well, such as Bern and Thurgau/St. Gallen (Ostwind network).
