Impact of reducing parking spaces in Swiss cities on drivers: Analysis of proposed changes and potential consequences for motorists.
Frustrated by the constant hunt for a parking spot? Well, Swiss cities might have you driving around even longer. In the last decade alone, public parking spaces have significantly dwindled in major Swiss cities. Here's a snapshot of the losses: Zurich shed 3,220, Geneva 3,067, Lausanne 2,511, Basel 1,467, and Bern 1,302.
But hold your breath, because these numbers are just the start. Geneva is planning to eliminate another 12,000 spots by 2034, and Zurich aims to remove 10,000 more by 2040. Lucerne's not far behind, plotting to get rid of half of its parking spaces within 15 years.
Why do they keep thinning down the parking spots? To cut down on car traffic, simple as that. City authorities are genuinely fed up with the traffic, noise, and pollution caused by vehicle traffic.
"Jeez, to keep people from hitting the streets by car, we have to reduce the parking space supply," said Vincent Kaufmann, director of the urban sociology lab at the Federal Polytechnic Institute (EPFL) in Lausanne.
These decisions leave a bad taste in the mouth of many, though, like Thomas Hurter, president of the Automobile Club of Switzerland (ACS). He's worried that such moves will take a hit on the city's economy, as businesses, residents, and tourists depend on accessible parking.
But hey, fear not, because only street parking is under the chopping block, for now. Most underground lots will stay put, especially privately-owned ones. Still, finding a spot in these remaining spaces is about to get more frustrating as demand outstrips the decreasing supply.
The smart thing to do? Reduce car reliance and hop on trains, buses, and trams. At least, that's what the obvious outcome suggests. Lucky for commuters, Switzerland has an awesome public transport system that extends beyond big cities, even reaching small towns and villages.
Zurich, for instance, boasts 18 tram and 60 bus lines, while Geneva flaunts 75 bus routes and five trams lines that sometimes cross into France.
- Fortunately for those searching for parking in Bern, while the city has lost 1,302 public parking spots in the past decade, privately-owned underground parking lots may remain unaffected.
- The reduction in parking spaces in Swiss cities like Bern is part of an effort to decrease car traffic and combat traffic, noise, and pollution.
- With Geneva, Zurich, and Lucerne planning to eliminate thousands more parking spots, sports enthusiasts may find it more challenging to park their vehicles near sports facilities, as they depend on accessible parking.
