Geneva has made public transport temporarily free for the first time, introducing the measure on Wednesday to combat a sharp rise in ozone pollution across the city.
As reported in Reuters, authorities in the French-speaking canton said ozone concentrations had exceeded 180 micrograms per cubic metre over 24 hours — a level above the World Health Organization’s safety threshold. Ozone, a harmful gas, can cause breathing difficulties, headaches and asthma attacks.
The spike coincided with a heatwave that saw temperatures reach 37°C (98.6°F) on Tuesday, prompting national heat warnings for western and southern Switzerland. The Environment Office for the Canton of Geneva said high temperatures and low cloud cover allowed ozone pollutants to accumulate and disperse more slowly.
Traffic Restrictions and Emergency Measures
Under the emergency protocol, buses, trams, trains and boats across the canton are free to use until air quality improves. Passengers do not need tickets, and fare checks have been suspended.
The measures also include restricting access for the most polluting vehicles: between 6 a.m. (0400 GMT) and 10 p.m., only lower-emission cars are permitted in the city centre.
“The measures taken under this emergency protocol aim to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide, notably by promoting public transport and limiting the circulation of the most polluting vehicles,” the environment office said in a statement.
Officials hope that encouraging commuters and visitors to leave their cars at home will help cut traffic emissions, easing the city’s smog problem until weather conditions change.
