Municipal vote City of Bern voters back Fischermätteli streetcar

A streetcar line will continue to run to Bern's Fischermätteli in the future. Voters approved a loan of CHF 15.7 million for the complete renovation of the Brunnhof-Fischermätteli road.

The approval was clear with 76.1 percent of votes in favor. 29,298 voters put a yes in the ballot box, 9,205 rejected the proposal. The turnout was 49.5 percent, as the city announced on Sunday.

Opponents of the bill had argued that a bus service would be more efficient, cheaper and also safer. In addition, the streetcar would leave little space for cyclists. There are already regular accidents today.

However, the people followed the view of the municipal council and the city council majority: the streetcar would be more comfortable and could transport more people than a bus.

It will cost CHF 42.6 million to replace the streetcar tracks on line 6 from Effingerstrasse, to carry out further renovations and to upgrade the streetscape. The voters decided on the city's cost share of 15.7 million francs.

Construction work from 2026

"I am delighted that we can continue to ensure good public transport connections for the Mattenhof district," said Civil Engineering Director Marieke Kruit (SP) according to the press release. Bernmobil, Energie Wasser Bern and the canton are also involved in the overall project. Construction work will begin in early 2026 at the earliest and will take around two and a half years.

The SP Stadt Bern praised the result of the vote as a clear yes for the preservation and strengthening of public services in the district and for its inclusive redesign. The streetcar is not only very popular, but also safer and more comfortable to use for people with disabilities than the bus.

SDA