The Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV, Zurich Transport Network) is the largest public transportation network in Switzerland. It covers the canton of Zurich and adjacent areas. All modes of public transportation (rail, light rail, bus, trolleybus, lake passenger liner, funicular) within a chosen number of zones can be used freely with a ticket that is valid for a certain amount of time (one hour, 24 hours, 1 month, 1 year).
The system was established in May 1990 as a unified fare system with a coordinated local train network. Local train lines were prefixed with the letter S (S-Bahn) to form the Zurich S-Bahn network. A proof-of-payment fare system is in force on all ZVV vehicles. Fare gates are not used, but those caught without a valid ticket during a random inspection face a minimum fine of CHF 100.
The ZVV system uses an integrated a ticket network. The zones are numbered 110–184; the numbers 180–184 designates zones outside of the canton's border. Passengers purchase a base ticket for particular zones. Upgrades and extension tickets are available as supplements.
Trips by fast trains and regional trains by any operator, such as ICN, InterCity (IC), InterRegio (IR), RegioExpress (RE), regional (R) lines, and even international railways are part of the fare network as long as they stop within the fare network's borders.
The current director of the ZVV is Dominik Brühwiler, appointed 1. January 2021. Dominik Brühwiler was Head of the Traffic Planning Department and Deputy Director for 13 years. Over 60 people applied for the position of Director and the Swiss Department for Transport picked him because of his past experience in the service.
