Transportation for an extended stay in Lausanne Area

See all the options that residents use at https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets.html. A Half-Fare Card valid for a year is 185 CHF and covers all transport. Some regional offers might also work for you.

Most areas of Switzerland, including Lausanne, operate zone systems for tickets covering all transport (train + bus + tram/métro) and also sell monthly and annual tickets. These local season tickets are what most people (including me) use for commuting and leisure travel, combined with the annual Half-Fare card for trips to the rest of Switzerland.

The system around Lausanne is called "Mobilis". Details of fares are here: http://www.mobilis-vaud.ch/tarifs-mobilis/
Click on "Abonnements adultes". This info appears only to be in French, but if you are staying in Lausanne for 4 months, I trust you will be learning French.
There is some info on the SBB website in English: https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/fare-networks/vaud-mobilis-fare-network.html

There is also a 1 year card covering the whole of Switzerland, called a "GA". Unless you are travelling a lot outside your area during the week, a local ticket would be better value. Details of the GA here: https://www.sbb.ch/en/travelcards-and-tickets/railpasses/ga.html

I guess this is a work trip, I trust your employer has arranged a "carte de séjour" (work and residence permit) for you?

Thanks so much for the valuable info! It was exactly what I was looking for!

Chris, I am actually house sitting and have a long term stay visa. I am a chef by profession and would love to try and pick up some "under the table" work to stay busy but I am guessing it's going to be along shot. In the meantime, I plan to explore as much as the country as I can. Would love to get to some of the surrounding countries as well.

Kim, that explains the name!
If your "carte de séjour" is for an extended visit only, not for work, you will have trouble getting a job. All employers must by law check their employees and register your employment; they will ask to see your carte de séjour. When you get your carte de séjour you have to tell them your address, and inform them if you move.
The rules of this site are that you must not promote anything illegal. So I didn't tell you this ☺. Some people have been known to work for private individuals, and be paid cash. This is known as "Schwarzarbeit" (working on the black) in German, I don't know the French phrase. This is mostly unskilled work, for example house cleaning or gardening. The authorities are stamping down on it, both parties are breaking the law.

Getting to surrounding countries is no problem. Travellers are not stopped at the border, but there is customs for commercial vehicles. The nearest French town to Lausanne is Évian-les-Bains (where the water comes from), directly across the lake. There is a ferry from Lausanne to Évian-les-Bains, it is an easy day trip.

Hey Chris, thanks! I figured the work thing was a long shot. Maybe in France? I am registered with a chef agency there so we will see.

Any other useful tips you may have for an American living in the area would be most appreciated! What part of Switzerland are you in? ? Let me know if you would like to exchange emails :)

I'm really looking forward to being there during the holiday season!!