Lausanne Metro Information
The Metro Network in the city of Lausanne, in Switzerland, comprises of two separate lines that are owned by two distinct companies, while a third is in charge of overall operations. Lausanne bagged the honors of being the smallest city in the world with its very own Metro network, an accolade previously held by the French city of Rennes. The 13.7 km long network, runs along 2 lines and serves a total of 28 stations. The first line, is a light rail route whereas, the second line is an automated metro. It’s well known for making use of the rubber-tyred technology and plans on building the third line along the same guidelines. A popular means of transportation since 1991, the Lausanne metro has an annual ridership of 40.8 million (2013).
Lausanne Metro Map
Map of Lausanne Metro showing its lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or Download Lausanne Metro Map in PDF.
Lausanne Metro Timings, Frequency and Timetable
The metro operates between, around 05:00 am in the morning and till approximately 01:00 am, of the next day. The timings don’t vary too much according to the days.
For more information with regard to the schedule, you can visit the official website at: http://www.t-l.ch/particuliers/se-deplacer/horaires/horaires-imprimes
Lausanne Metro Fares, Tickets and Cards
The fare for the metro works on a zone based system which again in-turn, determines the time duration or the validity of the ticket as well. A ticket to two-zone costs 3.60 Swiss france, with the reduced fare being 2.40 Swiss Francs. It is valid for just 1 hour. Both, the three- zone ticket and the four-zone ticket has a validity for 2 hours. The full for each of them is, 5.40 Swiss francs and 7.20 Swiss francs. The reduced fare is 2.70 Swiss francs and 3.60 Swiss francs, respectively.
Children under the age group of 6 always travel for free. However, the number of children that can travel for free, varies with the age of the accompanying. For a person aged between 12 and 16 years old, a maximum of 4 children under the age of 6 can travel for free. For people older, the maximum changes to 8.
Other children, between the age group of 6-16 have the benefits of the discounted rates.
A separate ticket needs to purchased for your dog. However, there are certain rules that need to be followed. The pricing of the ticket lies at the reduced rates, for each zone respectively. Small dogs (within 30 cm withers) and guide dogs can travel for free, terms to certain conditions.
For more information on the discounted fares, tickets and cards, you can visit the official website at: http://www.t-l.ch/utilisation-tl
Lausanne Metro Parking
Park and ride facilities are available at some of the stations.
For more information on this, you can visit the official website at: http://www.t-l.ch/utilisation-tl/parking-rail
Lausanne Metro Rules and Tips
All the metro trains are equipped with foldable seats. But there is a rule which requires the seats to be kept up during peak hours, to create more space. Smoking is prohibited. All stations are equipped with Emergency Call Boxes. Easy and necessary access has been made available for people on wheelchairs and for those on bicycles. It is advised to hold on to the bars while travelling aboard the trains. It is for your own safety. Announcements with regard to the stops are made regularly.
For more information on what one needs to know while travelling the Lausanne metro, you can visit the official website at: http://www.t-l.ch/particuliers/se-deplacer/conseils-pratiques/voyager-en-metro
Lausanne Metro Lines
The M1 line commenced services in the month of May in 1991 and was used at a commercial level a month later. It is owned by a company called TSOL while the former Tramways Lausannois Corporation is in charge of operating services along the route. A light rail network, it has three underground stations and another dozen at surface level.
An eight-kilometer long line, it links places such as Renens, Lausanne Campus and the Lausanne City Center. It is predominantly a single track network while a loop line at each station allows trains to pass. There are dedicated platforms at each of the fifteen stations along the route that allows train services to operate in either direction. The Provence, UNIL-Sorge and Bassenges Stations are the only exceptions as they continue to have single-line stations with one platform serving trains running in either direction.
The M2 line of the Lausanne metro service runs for six kilometers and has been built on the tracks that were formerly laid out for the Lausanne-Ouchy Rail network. There is also a new section of tracks running towards Epalinges, traversing the entire city of Lausanne in a north-south direction. It was opened as a rapid transit network during the autumn season in the year 2008.