Challenges

The envisaged polycentricity requires a high-quality connection between the three city centres of downtown Zurich, Oerlikon, Altstetten and a good connection to the individual centres themselves.

In recent years, significant settlement developments have taken place in Zurich-Nord that have not yet been completed (especially in Schwamendingen, Affoltern and Seebach)

In the neighbouring agglomeration municipalities, a comparable dynamic in settlement development can be observed, with the boundaries between urban and agglomeration becoming increasingly blurred. Zurich Airport also has a central effect

Need for action for public transport

Due to the growth in Zurich-North, more capacity must be made available to meet the increasing demand and meet the city’s modal split targets.

Specifically, the radial service at the Oerlikon center is to be strengthened. It is becoming apparent that even high-demand connections within Zurich North, which are currently mainly provided by urban bus lines, will soon reach their capacity limits.

In addition, the connection to the city centre of Altstetten, to the agglomeration – especially to the airport – and to the training and employment centres of Irchel University and ETH Hönggerberg must be improved.

Measures in the northern sub-region
Short-term

Tram Affoltern
Routing of line 11 from Brunnenhof to Holzerhurd
Extension of line 15 Bucheggplatz – Auzelg as a replacement for line 11
Routing of line 32 from Bucheggplatz to ETH Hönggerberg

Stage 1

Tramtangente Nord: In the eastern part of the Tramtangente Nord, two routes are conceivable and must be more closely looked at as part of a potential and feasibility study following the network development strategy. In the first variant, the route on Wallisellenstrasse and Überlandstrasse is planned. In addition, it is intended to implement the Wallisellen tram in connection with the Tramtangente Nord on the Überlandstrasse in order to improve the network between Schwamendingen and Wallisellen through a new connection without changing trains. In the second variant, the route of the Tramtangente Nord on Wallisellenstrasse and Saatlenstrasse is planned. Regardless of the decision on the variant for the northern tram tangent, the route of an urban bus line Birch-/Glattalstrasse to the airport and any adjustments to the Seebach West bus network are to be examined in stage 1. This would allow a new direct connection from the Seebach district to the airport.
New tram line from Holzerhurd to Stettbach station via Oerlikon station (mostly as a replacement for bus lines 61 and 62)
Extension of line 9 to Wallisellen station
Extension of line 32 to Waidhof and Mühlacker as a replacement for lines 37, 61 and 62
Route of line 75 directly to Auzelg
Route of line 787 now via Auzelg
An Auzelg Ost bus bridge and adjustments to various bus lines.

Stage 2

In stage 2, the construction of the inner ring is planned, which will result in adjustments to the offer in the northern sub-region. This means that two new tram lines will run from Zurich West to the northern region.

Stage 3

Stage 3 envisages the further development of the Outer Ring, which will strengthen the connection between Oerlikon, ETH Hönggerberg, Höngg and Altstetten. In addition, the extension of the tram from Seebach via Opfikon to Kloten and others to the airport is included. Both network elements have an impact on the design of services.