Billettautomat

Billettautomat Nr. 301-1, der VBZ Verkehrsbetriebe der Stadt Zürich

Dating

1950–1966

Persons

VBZ Verkehrsbetriebe der Stadt Zürich (1950), Betreiber/in oder Benutzer/in, signiert

Description

Billettautomat Nr. 301-1, der VBZ Verkehrsbetriebe der Stadt Zürich.

Signature / Inscription

Signatur / Beschriftung: Beschriftung: "VBZ Züri Linie", "Billett-Ausgabe"

Object type

Object (three-dimensional)

Geography

Territorium: Stadt Zürich

Material / Technique

Metall, Kunststorff, Plexiglas

Dimensions

157 x 71 x 44 cm

Inventory number

VHS-8792.2

Rights

Quellennachweis: Verkehrshaus der Schweiz, Luzern

Legend

Ticket vending machine No. 301-1 Zurich City Transport (VBZ) 1966 The evolution of the tram from a luxury to a means of mass transport can be seen by the way in treated passengers. While a personal service was expected in the beginning, from 1940 passengers hat to walk past the conductor to get to their seats. Finally, cost considerations caused the disappearance of the conductor. In 1966 the Zurich City Transport (VBZ) became the first company to introduce ticket vending machines. Transport for wealthy people Connections for hotels, banks and residential areas Horse-trams, steam trams, compressed-air trams and the earliest electrical tram: in the second half of the 19th century, these were the symbols of large industrial towns and an important driving force for economical development of entire regions. However, they were not the means of mass transit they are nowadays: workers and craftsmen uses four-fifth of their income for lodging, food and clothing. They had no money left for transport. The early trams were for prosperous people. They added to the attractions of their places of residence and the central business areas; they made accessible the nearby recreational areas or helped to set up regional tourist centers. They were a means of transport for people with money who could also afford a degree of luxury. Transport in growing cities The tram as a part of urban planning Between 1870 and 1910 the Swiss population grew by approximately 1.1 million people. Nearly half of this growth took place in the ten largest cities. Zurich. Basel and Geneva became major cities. During this time, the electric tram gained general acceptance for urban mass transit an also became primarily in the time between the two world wars an instrument of urban planning. The tram fostered the division of the urban space into areas for differing functions such as living, working, recreation and shopping. The tram opened up new settlements and work places, and contributed to the building of metropolitan conurbations. The tram was regarded as a universal means to prevent the overpopulation of lower-Class districts, and improve the economical efficiency of cities. Congested streets The tram holds up private vehicle traffic After World War II, private motor traffic started its triumphant progress. Due to increasing prosperity, most Swiss families could afford to own car. The consequences could first be seen in the cities: the inner areas became congested by traffic jams. The problem was a constant political issue, because everybody was talking about traffic congestion. Planners and politicians agreed about its causes. They said that trams were too cumbersome and needed too much space, so had become obstructions. Medium-sized cities replaced their entire tram routes by bus lines. Large cities converted some of their routes. Zurich and Basle considered building underground tramways. The idea at that time was that the future belonged to a car-friendly city. Make way for the tram The city needs to be attractive for local traffic The oil crisis of 1973, the increasing environmental damage and the economic recession put an end to belief in endless growth. The avalanches of cars in cities encountered more and more resistance from residents. The existing consensus about traffic policy collapsed, and doubts arose about the alternations made in the cities to accommodate the car. In the seventies, Zurich and Basle decided to give priority to the promotion of local public transport. As a result, they launched the revival of the tram in Switzerland. New comfortable tramcars, faster operation thanks to specific light systems and separate lanes, denser timetables ecological tickets passes and transport associations increased the attractiveness of the trams. An enlarged tram network, as well as the corresponding plans, projects and intention in other Swiss cities, gives evidence of the belief in the tram as a means of future urban mass transport.