In the Swiss town of Baden, near Zurich, a new bus line has begun operating—but it defies conventional expectations. Dubbed 'Line Zero,' this service runs without a timetable, a fixed destination, or any promise of efficiency. Instead, it offers passengers a journey with no particular purpose other than the experience of traveling together.
The initiative is the brainchild of artists Frank and Patrik Riklin, who have transformed a standard public transport bus into a mobile art installation. The vehicle, operated in partnership with the local transport authority RVBW (Regionalverkehr Baden-Wettingen), carries the words 'Line Zero' on its front, signaling to residents and visitors alike that this is not a typical bus ride.
Rethinking Mobility as a Shared Experience
The concept challenges the dominant logic of public transport, which prioritizes speed and efficiency. Instead, Line Zero invites passengers to slow down, engage with their surroundings, and enjoy the journey as a collective activity. According to the town hall, the bus has 'artistic value,' and the artists hope to spark a broader conversation about how we move through urban spaces.
This approach stands in stark contrast to other European transport innovations, such as Croatia's recent launch of Europe's first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb, which focuses on automation and speed. Line Zero, by contrast, emphasizes human connection and the joy of aimless travel.
Frank and Patrik Riklin are known for their playful, participatory art projects. Their work often blurs the line between art and everyday life, and Line Zero is no exception. The bus does not follow a set route; it meanders through Baden, picking up and dropping off passengers who are willing to embrace uncertainty. There is no fixed schedule, and the journey can last as long as the driver and passengers choose.
The project has garnered attention in Swiss media, with local news outlet 20min.ch reporting on the unusual service. For the town of Baden, it represents a novel way to engage with public space and encourage residents to see their city from a different perspective.
While some may view the bus as a gimmick, its creators argue that it addresses a deeper need in modern society: the desire to slow down. In an era of constant connectivity and pressure to optimize time, Line Zero offers a rare opportunity to do nothing in particular—together.
The service is free to use, funded by the municipality as part of its cultural programming. It operates on an irregular basis, with announcements made via local media and social media when the bus is running. This unpredictability is part of its charm, turning each ride into a spontaneous event.
For now, Line Zero remains a small-scale experiment in Baden. But its message resonates beyond Switzerland, touching on broader European debates about mobility, sustainability, and the quality of urban life. As cities across the continent grapple with congestion and climate goals, projects like this remind us that transport can be about more than just getting from A to B.
Whether Line Zero will inspire similar initiatives elsewhere remains to be seen. But for the residents of Baden, it offers a gentle invitation to pause, look around, and enjoy the ride.
