Basel-Landschaft voters to decide on cheaper youth transit passes

Voters in Basel-Landschaft will decide on November 29 whether to cut the annual price of a regional public transport pass for people up to 25 from 542 francs to 365 francs, SRF reports. The canton would cover the difference.

The initiative, “An affordable U-Abo for children and young people in the canton of Basel-Landschaft”, was submitted in 2025 by five youth parties: the Young Greens, Juso, Young Green Liberals, Young EVP and Young Centre. Their parent parties also support the proposal. The Social Democrats, Greens, Green Liberals, EVP and Centre have recommended a yes vote.

Supporters say the reduction would ease costs for families, apprentices and students, especially those with several children. They also argue that a lower price would encourage young people to use buses, trams and trains more often, and could help them continue using public transport instead of switching to cars. They point to Basel-Stadt, where the annual price for young people fell to 365 francs in 2024 and the number of young U-Abo users rose markedly.

The Swiss People’s Party and the Free Democrats oppose the initiative, along with the cantonal government and most members of the cantonal parliament. Parliament voted 45 to 34 to recommend rejecting it.

Opponents question whether cheaper passes would change travel habits, saying many young people already use public transport regularly and would therefore receive a discount without changing how they travel. They estimate the measure would cost the canton 2.8 million to 3 million francs a year, arguing that the money would be better spent on additional services or more frequent schedules that benefit all passengers.