This European Country Just Made Public Transport Free

One of Europe’s smallest sovereign states, Luxembourg, has become the first country in the world to offer free public transport for all.

The re-elected coalition government, made up of leftist, centrist and green parties, has promised free public transport in the city from early 2020.

The tiny nation, some five times smaller than Sydney, is home to about 560,000 people, but a further 180,000 commute into the country to work, creating some of the worst traffic congestion on earth.

Luxembourg has some of the highest rates of car usage in the world – and the highest in Europe – with about 662 cars per 1,000 inhabitants. (Australia is higher at 740 cars per 1,000 people).

While Luxembourg will retain the title of first country to offer free mass transit, many European cities have removed fees on public transport both to combat pollution and traffic congestion.

Earlier this year, the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo flagged plans for a study into the feasibility of free public transport as part of a move to boost air quality and reduce the numbers of cars on the roads.

Luxembourg’s new governing coalition, led by Xavier Bettel, is also considering legalising marijuana and introducing two new public holidays, according to the Guardian.