LUXEMBOURG makes public transport for FREE
Since 1st March 2020, public transport in Luxembourg is free throughout the country and for all modes of transport – trams, trains, and buses. The scheme applies to residents, cross-border commuters and tourists alike.
“The government wants Luxembourg to become a laboratory for mobility,” says Mobility Minister François Bausch, who points to the grand duchy’s fast-rising population, with a rise of 40% in 20 years.
Luxembourg’s transport system costs £430m (€500m) annually, with fare revenue of £35m (€41m) meeting barely 8 per cent of the total. The lost ticket fares will be shouldered by the taxpayer. “Of course, just because I call it free transport doesn’t mean nobody pays,” said Mr. Bausch, who is part of Luxembourg’s green party, déi Gréng.
Transport staff will not lose their jobs, they will merely spend less time checking tickets.
There are still fares that are payable and those are for commuters who want to “work in serenity”. They can pay €3 to travel first class on trains.
Luxembourg has become the first country in the world to provide public transport for free. The small EU hub aims to boost tram, train and bus usage and rid itself of traffic jams blamed on commuters using private cars.
