For the first time in Switzerland, the city of Geneva has made all public transport temporarily free in response to a severe spike in ozone pollution. The measure is part of an emergency protocol aimed at protecting public health and reducing emissions at a time when the city is facing both extreme heat and poor air quality.
Ozone concentrations in Geneva recently exceeded 180 micrograms per cubic meter over 24 hours, crossing the World Health Organization’s safety threshold. High summer temperatures, reaching 37°C, combined with low cloud cover, created conditions where pollutants accumulated instead of dispersing. This raised concerns for respiratory health, with risks of breathing difficulties, headaches, and asthma attacks.
In response, authorities suspended ticket checks and opened buses, trams, trains, and boats to all passengers free of charge. The initiative is designed to encourage residents and visitors to leave their cars at home and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from road traffic. Additional measures were also introduced, including restrictions on higher-polluting vehicles in the city center between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
While temporary, this decision underscores how cities are increasingly turning to bold, immediate interventions to address environmental challenges. Geneva’s experience highlights both the risks posed by rising temperatures and the importance of promoting sustainable mobility in the face of climate-linked health threats.
