For over 30 years, Switzerland has been trying to promote a modal shift from private car use to more sustainable modes of transportation. Despite these efforts, car usage continues to increase. In this context, this study examines the impact of one of the main measures implemented by municipalities in the Canton of Geneva: financial subsidies for the purchase of an annual public transport pass. A comparative analysis of the policy’s impact is conducted between the municipalities of Plan-les-Ouates and Collonge-Bellerive, considering their geographical and socio-economic differences.

The findings indicate that, overall, price is only one of several factors influencing modal choice and proves to be effective only when combined with other measures that facilitate access to alternative modes of transport. Indeed, the good service quality and relative density of Plan-les-Ouates create a favourable environment for the use of public transport. In contrast, in Collonge-Bellerive, the predominance of single-family housing, relatively poor transport service, and high average income limit the effectiveness of financial incentives for public transport use. In such municipalities, it appears more relevant to encourage the use of electric bicycles, particularly through increased investment in cycling infrastructure.