Yes, you can get monthly tickets. They are available at any TNW booth (Barfüsserplatz, Heuwaage) and at Bahnhof SBB. They cost 67 Fr. if you live in the area covered by the TNW or 92 if you live outside.
They also have an e-ticket - costs 64 Fr. That one you'll have to order from www.tnw.ch
The cheap rate ticket is not just restricted to Basel - I had one for a while and I live in Frick which is a loooonggg way from Basel. You need to be resident somewhere within the borders where the ticket can take you.
Yes, the distance does go a long way off to Frick (great for buying train tickets, as you only pay for your journey from Frick on), but IIRC, they wanted to see a Basel residency permit or proof of residence (for citizens). Regardless, you'll have to prove you are from the qualifying area, I guess!
To be honest I just went along and showed my passport and they gave me one. The rules do say you need to live there and have it as the centre of your universe etc but I guess different people behind the counters interpret this in different ways... I also know of a very good friend who bought one for his dad. He bought an "übertragbare Erwachsene" ticket - ie one you can pass on from adult to adult as long as only one is travelling on it at any one time. I think these are the ultimate ticket as you can effectively share one with someone else who regularly but not daily travels in the TNW network...
Just a note that for the annual U-Abo, you pay ten times the monthly cost - i.e. not twelve times. So it can work out even cheaper.
The disadvantage of the "übertragbare" (transferrable) version is if you lose it, then that's it, you have to buy a new one. With the non-transferrable version it has your name on it, and if you lose it, you can get a new one issued for SFr20. However with the non-transferrable you have to show a photo ID along with the pass when the inspectors board the tram.
In addition you can add nearby areas in Germany and France to your U-Abo for an additional fee. Unfortunately, the network isn't as robust outside the Swiss-run areas. SBB runs regular trains all the way to Zell in Germany and to Mulhouse in France, though the schedules aren't always great outside peak commuting hours.
Hi - my parents in-law are coming from the U.S. to visit for three weeks in November, and I've been searching for a pass that would allow them unlimited travel on the TNW network. A question on passing along a ticket like this, though - if my husband and I purchase these and pass them along to his parents, will they run into trouble if they are checked by a ticket inspector? I.e., are these transferrable passes for Swiss residents only?
just a quick one with regards to the U-Abo - I have just got one, but what i would like to know is whether I HAVE TO carry my Ausweis on me to "validate" the U-Abo or can I get a TNW photocard/Halbtax to use as proof of ID.
It is a complete pain to carry the Ausweis as it is not wallet friendly -
Also we have been told that just photo ID (like a driving license) would suffice.....
Price went up to 70 a few months back. You can get a card now that lets you pay for the monthly U-Abo at a tram ticket machine with the TNW sign on it. Its much more convenient than waiting in line at Barfi or SBB and it has your pic on it so it covers that aspect too! You have to go to SBB or Barfi ticket ounter to get the card though...