Luxembourg achieved a major global milestone this week as it became the first country on Earth to make public transportation free nation-wide. The initiative is an effort to encourage citizens, and the country’s 214,000 daily foreign commuters, to use more environmentally friendly methods of transportation.
Public transportation was already free on Saturdays in Luxembourg, but now, anyone visiting or living in the country can hop on a bus, train, or tram for free any day of the week. Tickets previously accounted for €41 million in annual revenue which will now be covered by tax revenue in the national budget.
The small country has high numbers of business travelers and visitors, so it will also establish “Park+Ride” systems where travelers can conveniently and affordably park their vehicles at the border and then take advantage of free public transportation options. Unfortunately, tickets will still need to be purchased when train and bus lines cross the border into neighboring Belgium, Germany, and France.
