Information service for public transport (LITRA)

LITRA (Information service for public transport; French: Service d'information pour les transports publics) is a Swiss association and information platform focused on public transport policy. Founded in 1935 as the Swiss League for the Rational Organisation of Traffic, it was renamed LITRA in 1977. Headquartered in Bern, the association represents more than 200 members, including transport companies, construction and industrial firms, engineering and consulting services, rolling stock and bus manufacturers, equipment suppliers, associations, cantons, and institutes. LITRA advocates for a holistic, solution-oriented, and forward-looking transport policy in Switzerland. It gathers and disseminates factual and reliable information on public transport, connects its members with decision-makers, and informs politicians, media, authorities, the scientific community, and the general public. The association publishes statistics in 'Transports en chiffres', scientific reports in the 'Série jaune', quarterly usage figures, and a management report. In 2011, for its 75th anniversary, LITRA created the 'Prix LITRA', awarded annually to three student theses on public transport and mobility topics, each worth 3,000 Swiss francs. LITRA is governed by a committee of 50 politicians and member representatives, with a steering committee making strategic decisions. The president represents LITRA externally and organizes events. The office consists of three people, and an independent finance commission oversees the budget and annual accounts.

LITRA was founded in 1935 under the name 'Ligue suisse pour l'organisation rationnelle du trafic' (Swiss League for the Rational Organisation of Traffic). Its purpose was to help authorities 'protect the means of transport belonging to everyone'. The founding committee consisted of municipal councillors Hans Käser (President) and Bernard de Weck (Vice-President), as well as National Councillor Hans Tschumi. In 1977, the association was renamed 'Service d'information pour les transports publics LITRA'. The association considers itself a pioneer in transport policy. As early as 1960, when planning for the national road network was barely completed, it demanded a 'global concept for Swiss transport policy'. In the context of the 'forest decline controversy' in the 1980s, LITRA criticised the constant growth of traffic and considered road traffic emissions as the major cause. It strongly advocated for the introduction of a heavy vehicle fee and a motorway vignette. In the 1990s, LITRA advocated an ecologically oriented transport policy; it highlighted the constant increase in road freight transport. It feared the loss of speed of the Swiss Federal Railways (CFF) and financial losses for the community. It was also concerned about the consequences of exhaust gases on public health and the environment. Since its creation, LITRA has been committed to public transport in Switzerland. It has more than 200 members and seeks to establish favourable conditions for public transport, a performant and integrated transport system, and an innovative economy. In 2011, for its 75th anniversary, LITRA created the 'Prix LITRA' for scientific works by students at Swiss universities and colleges on public transport and mobility topics. Each year, three theses are awarded 3,000 Swiss francs each.

• 2011

  Created the 'Prix LITRA' for student theses on public transport and mobility.

• 1990

  Advocated an ecologically oriented transport policy.

• 1980

  Criticised traffic growth and road emissions during the forest decline controversy.

• 1977

  Renamed 'Service d'information pour les transports publics LITRA'.

• 1960

  Demanded a 'global concept for Swiss transport policy'.

• 1935

  Founded as 'Ligue suisse pour l'organisation rationnelle du trafic' in Bern.

LITRA positions itself as the pioneering and authoritative information platform for public transport policy in Switzerland, advocating for a reliable, efficient, and future-oriented public transport system.

• Transports en chiffres

  Statistics publication by LITRA.

• Série jaune

  Scientific reports on public transport.

• Rapport trimestriel

  Current usage figures.

• Rapport de gestion

  Detailed documentation of political activity.

1. 1LITRA – Informationsdienst für den öffentlichen Verkehr – LITRAlitra.ch
2. 2Service d'information pour les transports publicsfr.wikipedia.org
3. 3Information service for public transportwikidata.org