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In a move to assist environmental protection efforts and end some of the worst traffic congestion in the world, the government of Luxembourg will make all public transportation free, becoming the first country to do so.
It’s a progressive idea and one that makes sense, reducing vehicles and their carbon emissions, given recent climate change proclamations that the Earth is reaching a critical tipping point, faster than predicted, and environmental catastrophes are looming.
After being sworn in for a second term as the Prime Minister of Luxembourg last Wednesday, re-elected Democratic leader Xavier Bettel made a pledge during his campaign to make environmental protection and a priority, as well as, make public transportation free.
Bettel and his Democratic Party will form a government with the Socialist Workers’ Party and the Greens, and together, they are promoting a number of substantial changes for Luxembourg.
Some of the world’s worst traffic congestion occurs in the country’s capital city, Luxembourg City. The city itself only has about 110,000 residents. But the problem is… 400,000 people commute into the city to work. 200,000 of these are commuting into Luxembourg across the border from France, Belgium and Germany.
As a result, vehicle congestion is adding to the country’s environmental woes.
Prior to this announcement, the government had already begun offering some free fares. Last summer, all children and persons under the age of 20, were provided free transport. They also provided discounts for secondary school students, providing them free shuttles between their homes and their educational facilities.
They had also reduced fees for up to two hours of travel, which covered almost all journeys within the country. Beginning next summer, all citizens will no longer have to pay any fares for using public trains, trams or buses.
This will also spare the expense of paying for labor for those who work at collecting fares, as well as, the policing of ticket purchases.
While the announcement to offer free fares has been made, there is one fly in the ointment. There is yet to be a decision reached on how authorities will approach the distribution of first and second class compartments on trains.
This past week alone, dire climate warnings made news headlines around the globe. The availability of free public transportation throughout the world, and especially in the United States and China where traffic and populations are the highest, could have a significant impact on decreasing the number of independent vehicles on the road.
Thus, the reduction in the number of vehicles could help reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere. After all, many people don’t drive because they want to – they drive because they have to.
It’s likely that many people would willingly relinquish the expense of vehicles, their maintenance and fuel costs if they had a viable alternative for getting to work, school, shopping or wherever it is they need or want to go.
