Many Swiss not living up to honest reputation; Expats overwhelmed by Swiss recycling; MP pushes cheaper public transport for every Swiss

News for 27 May

Though an international survey conducted several years ago found that people in Switzerland are the most honest in the world, they are not living up to this reputation in a newer study. According to the Moneyland consumer platform, the most common form of ‘theft’ in Switzerland  is riding on public transportation without a valid ticket: 40 percent of participants admitted to having deliberately done this at least once, and 27 percent have done it twice or more.

Theft in the workplace is the second most widespread form of stealing, with 29 percent of participants admitting to having done it. And 25 percent admitted to leaving supermarkets without paying for the items — that is, shoplifting.

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Expats are overwhelmed by the Swiss recycling system. That is, according to a report in Nau news platform. It has collected comments from social media sites reflecting how foreign residents feel about the recycle culture in Switzerland. It can be summed up: "they are overwhelmed with all the different containers and garbage bags."

"There are small piles of trash piling up all over the house that need to be taken to different places," one person said. Another added, "Do you do anything else [besides recycling], or is this a full-time job?"

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Green Party deputy Marionna Schlatter has submitted a parliamentary motion to eliminate the half-fare travelcard, and introduce a reduced fare for all commuters. "Those who opt for climate-friendly transport should be rewarded, rather than penalised," she said.

Another deputy, David Roth from the Social Democratic Party, said that current fares are too high, and discourage motorists from choosing public transport instead of cars. The Federal Council, however, estimated that the elimination of the half-fare pass and replacing it with generalised reduced fare would result in a loss of 700 million francs in revenue.

The parliament will discuss this proposal during its forthcoming summer session, to be held from June 2nd to June 22nd.