🔎 What’s going on?
Residents and visitors in Luxembourg will enjoy free public transport from the 1st March 2020, which includes buses, trains, and streetcars.
🚆That’s awesome! What does this mean?
The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but it’s small (in size) and land-locked. This means that 45% of the labour force are cross-border workers (i.e. they live in other countries and travel into the city for work, every single day). Turns out Luxembourg also has the highest number of cars per capita in the EU.
Taking inspiration from other EU countries (Dunkirk in northern France and Estonia) who have implemented similar measures over the years with varying levels of success - Luxembourg has now introduced free public transport from the 1st of March 2020.
Making public transport free allows a country to tackle multiple issues at the same time - wealth re-distribution, climate change, air and traffic pollution. But only if the transport system is constantly upgraded to provide the best connectivity and customer service possible. Otherwise, most likely, people will resort back to cars which are more reliable.
❓Why should I care?
The transportation sector contributes significantly to both climate change and air pollution. Transport (road, rail, air and marine) is responsible for 14% of global emissions. While according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 4.2 million people die each year globally from ambient (outdoor) air pollution.
🚦 Where do we need to be?
Increase and improve public transportation in every country. Why? Because public transportation is much more environmental friendly than cars (both fossil-fuel-powered and electric). Not only does it produce less air pollution, but also because it reduces congestion (there are fewer vehicles on the road).
Currently, in Luxembourg, cars are used for 47% of work trips, whilst buses and trains account for 32% and 19%, respectively. If free transport lures even 20% of people to use trains and buses more by 2025, that’s a huge success!
👤What can I do about it?
Yup, you guessed it - take public transportation as much as possible! 😉