Barfüsserplatz, Basel

Barfüsserplatz is one of the most central squares in Basel and the epicentre of nightlife in Grossbasel. The adjoining Steinenvorstadt is Basel’s liveliest street. Cultural institutions, such as the Stadtcasino (concert venue), Stadttheater, Schauspielhaus theatre and various museums, as well as Tinguely Fountain, are all within a stone’s throw.

Following a number of parliamentary initiatives in Canton Basel-Stadt and Canton Basel-Landschaft, the various transport companies from the region joined forces to coordinate their late-night transport planning. The cantons of Solothurn and Aargau were also involved in the planning from the outset. Two years later, in December 2008, the new-style services began operations. Since then, night owls in the Basel area have been enjoying the benefits afforded by regular and regionally coordinated late-night transport on Friday and Saturday nights – including the S-Bahn (inter-urban trains), trams and buses.

The departure points of the late-night services are identified by individual signs or night-time network logos. The signs also include timetables. The existing digital information displays for passengers at the stops provide details of the departure times of the late-night services.

Barfüsserplatz is the starting point for all late-night tram and bus services from and to the city of Basel, with four tram services and seven bus lines departing from the square. Two of the bus services are circular lines, which pick up passengers from various event venues around the city and take them to Barfüsserplatz, where they can change to other services. Three routes departing from Barfüsserplatz serve Basel SBB railway station, where passengers are offered connections to the S-Bahn services.

Since December 2008, the Northwestern Switzerland integrated fare network (TNW) has been widely marketing the night-time network via various channels with a new, uniform market image. During the first year of operation alone, the number of passengers more than doubled in comparison to the previous year.