Mobility
Mobility at the University of Lucerne encompasses the everyday commuting behavior of university members and business trips in Switzerland and abroad. This includes study and research visits lasting several months. The University of Lucerne strives for sustainable mobility. It restricts climate-damaging means of travel and promotes more climate-friendly alternatives.
The mobility behavior of members of the University of Lucerne has a significant influence on the goal of climate neutrality by 2030. Business air travel in particular causes large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. The University of Lucerne has therefore committed to reducing its flight emissions.
In terms of local transportation, members and visitors of the University can benefit from the close proximity to the train station and Lucerne's bicycle network. There are no parking spaces available. This relieves traffic in the city center and reduces exhaust fumes.
The International Relation Office of the University of Lucerne strives to create ideal conditions for (inter)national mobility and to continuously expand mobility options, promoting sustainable means of travel.
University members need to decide for themselves whether travel is necessary at all or whether the event can be attended online. If travel is necessary, it must be clarified whether to travel by train or plane (observe the rules in the expenses regulations). The decision tree provided by Movetia, the national agency for the promotion of exchange and mobility in the education system, can help with this.
When choosing the means of transportation for any travel, researchers and employees of the University of Lucerne must observe the rules set out in the expense regulations and the associated “Expenses” information sheet.
Air travel is only reimbursed if the journey would take longer by train. In addition to the actual duration of the flight, the time taken to travel from Lucerne railroad station to Zurich or Basel airport by train, check-in and security checks (1:30 h), the stay at the arrival airport (1 h) and the transfer to the city center at the destination by public transport/taxi (fastest option) are also included in the flight travel time.
Individual faculties also have their own stricter regulations. For example, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences does not support air travel of less than 1000 kilometers.
The University of Lucerne currently offers the program "Greener Mobility", which is aimed at both incoming and outgoing students. The grants are awarded by Movetia as part of the Swiss Erasmus+ programs. The financial contributions of CHF 100 towards the respective rail journey are intended to promote environmentally friendly mobility within Europe for university members.
