Luxembourg Turns into First Nation To Present Free Public Transport

The measure is part of a plan to reduce congestion (Istock).

Luxembourg:

Luxembourg will be the first country in the world to offer a free public transport system on Saturday as the government tries to reduce particularly heavy traffic.

Some cities have already taken similar sub-measures, but the Department of Transportation said it was the first time that such a decision would cover an entire country.

Free traffic, which is characterized as an "important social measure", affects around 40 percent of households and is expected to save around EUR 100 each year.

The measure is part of a plan to reduce congestion.

Private cars are the most common means of transportation in the Grand Duchy. According to a 2018 TNS Ilres survey, cars accounted for 47 percent of business travel and 71 percent of leisure traffic.

The bus is only used for 32 percent of the trips in front of the train, which corresponds to only 19 percent.

In Paris, however, according to Insee, the French statistical institute, 68.6 percent of employees use public transport.

The capital city of Luxembourg, where a tram has been built for several years, is known to be bad for traffic jams.

The first section of the tram has been in operation since the end of 2017, but it will take a few more years to connect the southern edge of the capital to the north, where the airport is located.

"Systematic and continuous investments are an essential prerequisite for promoting the attractiveness of public transport," said Transport Minister Francois Bausch.

The turnover with the existing 2 euro tickets amounts to 41 million euros per year, which, according to the authorities, corresponds to only eight percent of the annual budget of 500 million euros. This is now taken over by the state treasury.

The exception to the free-for-all rule is first-class train travel and certain night buses.