Skuodas approves free public transport (Lithuania) | Eltis

Eltis: "The local council of the small city of Skuodas in Lithuania has voted in favour of allowing residents and visitors to use public transport for free.

The measure, which goes into effect from the start of 2015, means that Skuodas joins a growing group of cities which offer free public transport in some form. The most famous of these is Tallinn in Estonia (read more about Tallinn's free transport on Eltis) - whose example was an inspiration to Skuodas city officials."

Central Paris to become car-free zone in mayor’s anti-pollution fight

RFI : "Non-residents’ private cars will soon be banned from central Paris and only clean vehicles allowed on the Champs Elysées, mayor Anne Hidalgo said on Sunday. Hidalgo outlined her plan to tackle the French capital’s high pollution levels ahead of a debate at the city council in February."

As oil prices dive, Saudi Arabia looks to Israel for new market

i24news: "Saudi Arabia is looking to expand its oil sales and would be willing to sell oil to any country that wants to buy it, including Israel, the country's Minister of Petroleum Ali Al-Naimi told reporters at an OPEC summit in Vienna on Sunday."

International Free Public Transport Conference in Zory, Poland

Tallinn: "On 6 November 2014, Zory hosted an international conference of free public transport.

Zory became an international arena for exchanging views on free public transport. The conference was addressed mainly to representatives of local governments, but also research institutions, movements and companies involved in the management of public transport. The purpose of the conference was to disseminate knowledge about free transport. Cities that have implemented such solutions, presented their case.

The forum was opened by the Mayor of Zory, Waldemar Socha. Other presentations were given by representatives of Tallinn (EE), Trentino (IT), Academy of Social Sciences in Chengdu (CN), Saxion University of Applied Sciences (NL), as well as Zabki, Gostyn and Żory (PL)."

Campaign against fare-hikes in Barcelona . .

Post by Plataforma #StopPujadesTransport.

Swedish report on the the international conference on free public transport

. .

Post by Fpt Editors.

Zory, Poland, international conference on free public transport

Post by Fpt Editors.

Żory, Poland: International conference on free public transport comimg up November 6th

In May of this year, Zory, Poland introduced unconditional fare-free buses in the community. It has been a success. Now people from Estonia, China, and other cities will meet there November 6th to discuss free public transport.

Żory: International conference on free communication in a few days • Business, investment and economy in Żorach • tuZory.pl: "The news of the introduced on 1 May in the Free Public Transport Żorach went around the whole country. About this event also learned world. The number of passengers using urban transport has increased, which is visible to the naked eye. And now an international conference will be held for a week in our city."

Every economist knows that cars are subsidized

The turning point of public transport: "All economists know that the driver does not pay the negative externalities caused by his car. Despite what he thinks in general, the motorist is subsidized with public money even though it is a particularly destructive and polluting private trip. And at the same time, we do charge users of public transport and debate more or less regularly for the opportunity to raise their rates!"

#Freetransit getting more popular day by day in Poland

Post by Free Public Transport.

Life better without cars

Post by Project for Public Spaces.

Transports public a preus populars

Carmen Indignada: "Transports public a preus populars......" https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10204081481828732

Tallinn TV video about #freetransit in Poland

Tallinn TV: "Free public transport to Poland, the muse thoughts. Our crew has examined how far the thoughts and deeds reached."

Barcelona - Stop Pujades

https://www.facebook.com/StopPujades?fref=photo

Free public transport yielded richer life

helahalsingland.se: "The study shows that young people find it easy to travel by public transport, they get richer social life, greater self-named and that parental stress decreases. It also means that young people have become more supportive of public transport than their parents, which may promote more sustainable travel in the long run.
For Söderhamns this means that young people have a more positive image of the municipality."

International conference on free public transport - 6-November, Zory, Poland

Free public transport Zory U cowboys of BKM - Naszemiasto.pl: "- Conferenceaddressed to the institutions and companies related to, among others, with wide-ranging discipline that is public transport. The aim of the conference is to disseminate knowledge on free public transport
in the cities, to discuss the possibilities and benefits of making it available to residents, as well as the exchange of experiences and to discuss issues of its operation - says Anna Ujma, advisor to the President for promotion culture and sport.

What is the plan for the conference? - These are of speakers, among others, of Estonia, the Netherlands,Polishand Italy, as well as a brief presentation of the Free buses for Urban Transport in Zory connected with the ride through the streets of the city and refreshments during the coffee break. Expected time of the conference is about 5 hours - adds Anna Ujma. their presence at the conference has already confirmed include authorities Tallinn, Prague, the Chinese city of Chengdu. See Also: For more information on free communication. [DISTRIBUTION and PHOTOS] Like us on Facebook and stay up to date with information! SEE ALSO: Free public transportation in Zory runs from 1 May 2014. [PHOTOS]
"

Cars Will Cook the Planet Absent Shift to Public Transportation

Scientific American: ""Transportation, driven by rapid growth in car use, has been the fastest-growing source of CO2 in the world," he continued. "While every part of the global economy needs to become greener, cleaning up the traffic jams in the world's cities offers the least pain and the most gain.""

Stop Pujades inicia una nova onada de mobilitzacions per frenar la pujada de preus del transport public l'any que ve

ara.cat : "Més d'un centenar de persones han participat aquest dilluns al vespre a l'assemblea convocada per la plataforma Stop Pujades a l'estació de metro de la Sagrera per decidir quines accions emprenen l'últim trimestre de l'any per forçar la baixada de les tarifes del transport públic de cara al 2015."

For #carfree day, we should make public transport free

Radio Gorzów 95,6 fm » Radnym podoba się pomysł Rowerowego Gorzowa. Za rok 22 września komunikacja miejska za darmo?: "Chodzi o 22 września, czyli Światowy Dzień Bez Samochodu. Zdaniem członków inicjatywy Rowerowy Gorzów właśnie ten dzień powinien być dniem z darmową komunikacja miejską. Plusów takiego rozwiązania ma być kilka. M. in.  promocja transportu publicznego."

To cheer up, take the bus

The Independent: "Lead researcher Adam Martin told The Daily Telegraph: “One surprising finding was that commuters reported feeling better when travelling by public transport, compared to driving. You might think that things like disruption to services or crowds of commuters might have been a cause of considerable stress.

“But as buses and trains also give people time to relax, read, socialise and there is usually an associated walk to the bus stop or railway station, it appears to cheer people up.”"

Moscow experience shows that building roads makes congestion worse

RBTH : "Between 1992 and 2010, the guiding principle for the Moscow city authorities' approach to traffic congestion was: There are too many cars, so we need to expand the road network, explains Konstantin Trofimenko, head of the transport studies center of the Higher School of Economics."

According to the Russian Traffic Police Directorate, as of 2014, there are 5.5 million vehicles registered in Moscow. Source: Getty Images / Fotobank
Source: Russia Beyond the Headlines - http://rbth.com/society/2014/09/09/congestion_growing_as_moscow_struggles_to_keep_pace_with_traffic_jams_39637.html)

Scottish independence: An energy revolution?

Al Jazeera English: "Britain missed out on a £74 billion windfall in oil revenues in just six years, from 2002 till 2008, compared to Norway's fiscal regime. An independent Scotland could choose not to concede to the corporate lobby, and replicate the Norwegian ownership and tax model."

Scrapping free bus passes for older people would 'cost over £1.7bn a year' | Society | The Guardian

The Guardian: "Study finds that for every £1 spent on the bus pass, more than £2.87 of benefits for society and wider economy were generated"

UK pensioners: "What we don't spend on buses, we spend in the shops."

Free bus passes under threat and the pensioners who are fighting back | Money | The Guardian: "He says: “On your way you’re spending money on B&Bs, food and drink and putting money into the local economy. So when people say we don’t like retired tourists gallivanting on the bus pass for free, they ought to think again. What they aren’t spending on local buses, they’re spending in the local shops.”"

Będą dyskutować o bezpłatnej komunikacji miejskiej

portalsamorzadowy.pl: "- 6 listopada w Żorach odbędzie się międzynarodowa konferencja poświęcona Bezpłatnej Komunikacji Miejskiej."

HOĆU NAZAD SVOJE PRAVO NA ČISTO OKRUŽENJE, SLOBODU KRETANJA I SLOBODAN JAVNI PREVOZ!

HOĆU NAZAD SVOJE PRAVO NA ČISTO OKRUŽENJE, SLOBODU KRETANJA I SLOBODAN JAVNI PREVOZ!: "Mi se zalažemo za uvođenje 100% subvencionisanog, ili za korisnike besplatnog javnog prevoza.
Naše analize pokazuju da potpunim ukidanjem sistema naplate karata i direktnim uplatama privrednih subjekata u budžet za javni prevoz možemo uštedeti oko 20 miliona evra i na taj način već sutra dobiti 100% subvencionisan javni prevoz.
Sektor transporta u Srbiji i svetu je odgovoran za 30% svog zagađenja gasovima koji stvaraju efekat staklene bašte i drugim visokotoksičnim materijama koje su proizvod sagorevanja fosilnih goriva. Sektor transporta je odgovoran i za potrošnju 1/3 fosilnih goriva. Osim toga sektor transporta je odgovoran i za ogromno zagađenje bukom čije posledice još nisu dovoljno proučene. Troškovi automobilskog zagađenja koji su socijalizovani, prema Drezdenskom institutu za ekologiju saobraćaja, se procenjuju na oko 750 evra godišnje po glavi stanovnika EU. Imajući u vidu da je Beograd jedan od najzagađenijih gradova u Evropi i najzagađeniji gradova u ovom delu Evrope, starost automobila i kvalitet goriva, ovi troškovi su i mnogo veći. Sektor transporta je jedan od najodgovornijih za ovo zagađenje.Neke studije urađene na Saobraćajnom fakultetu u Beogradu ukazuju na to da su godišnji troškovi automobilske nekulture između 1.5 - 3 milijarde evra.
Jedan od glavnih ciljeva naše kampanje, pored stvaranja svima dostupnog javnog prevoza, je upravo to - smanjenje zagađenja i stvaranje održivog načina transporta, kao jednog dela naše vizije stvaranja samoodrživih, ekološki odgovornih, energetski racionalnih, ekonomski stabilnijih i socijalno pravednijih zajednica pokretanih na obnovljive izvore energija.
Troškovi rada i održavanja javnog prevoza u Beogradu su oko 150 milona evra godišnje. Od toga preko 80% dolazi kroz subvencije iz gradskog budžeta, koji mi građani punimo plaćanjem poreza, taksi i ostalih dadžbina. I pored te činjenice, ako uporedimo stvarne prihode građana (70% ima prihode između 150 - 300 evra) i cenu karata, mi imamo jednu od najskupljih karata u Evropi. Samo u poslednje 3 godine cena karata je skočila za oko 150%, dok je cena energenata u isto vreme skočila za samo 40%. Većina građana tu cenu ne može da plati, a naročito nezaposleni, studenti, đaci i svi oni koji imaju minimalne mesečne prihode. Time je ovim kategorijama ljudi ograničena sloboda kretanja i neposredno ograničen pristup uslugama koje spadaju u osnovne ljudske potrebe i prava (pravo na obrazovanje, zdravstvene usluge, zapošljavanje itd). Oni koji mogu da plate preskupe karte preferiraju da koriste automobile jer im je jeftiniji, komforniji i pouzdaniji način transporta.
Iako je kvalitet javnog prevoza sve gori (200 novih autobusa je kupljeno kroz kredit koji otplaćuju građani iz budžeta) troškovi rada javnog prevoza i procenat kojim se subvencioniše javni prevoz su se od uvođenja privatnog monopola na prodaju karata u javnom prevozu drastično povećali. Analizom poslovanja na osnovu dostupnih podataka utvrdili smo da ne postoji ekonomska opravdanost uvođenja elektronskog sistema naplate karata "Bus Plus" kojim je jednom novoosnovanom "konzorcijumu" registrovanom za marketing, na blago rečeno sumnjivom tenderu, dat monopol na prodaju karata u javnom prevozu.
Od 'bus-plusa' korist ima samo nekolicina tajkuna i političara, a od slobodnog i kvalitetnog javnog prevoza korist možemo imati svi. Na javnom prevozu ne možemo da zaradimo, ali možemo mnogo da uštedimo i napravimo korak u ka pravednijim, humanijim, zdravijim i održivijim zajednicama visoko svesnih i savesnih ljudi."

Will Wroclaw, Poland be next large city with #freetransit

Radio Wrocław: "Zamiast olimpiady sportów nie wiadomo jakich i zdjęć Marilyn Monroe trzeba inwestować w komunikację miejską - przekonywała kandydatka na prezydenta Wrocławia Mirosława Stachowiak-Różecka. Przedstawiając po raz pierwszy swój pomysł na wybory mówiła, że obecne MPK to źle zarządzany bankrut. - Deklaruję, że już za rok, jeżeli ja zostanę prezydentem, nasze dzieci pojadą 1 września do szkoły bezpłatną komunikacją miejską. To jest możliwe - przekonywała: 

"

Traveling on public transport in Athens gets cheaper

ekathimerini.com: "Commuters will pay 20 cents less for tickets allowing them to use all modes of public transportation in Athens as of Monday, though they will be valid for 70 minutes rather than 90 as was the case previously."

Instead of #deflation, let's have #default, #degrowth, #decarbon, #decolonize

Cheap oil has peaked. Profits are no more. Degrowth will happen. Let's stop wasting money and energy on cars.

Eurozone Inflation Dips Again to Increase Pressure on E.C.B. - NYTimes.com: "With inflation creeping closer to zero, analysts consider it ever more likely that the central bank will begin large-scale asset purchases, the same kind of quantitative easing that has been used by the Federal Reserve to revive the economy in the United States."

Global warming impacts 'severe, widespread, and irreversible', UN warns

Telegraph: "The world faces "severe, widespread and irreversible" effects of climate change unless it takes urgent action to limit global warming by cutting back on burning fossil fuels, the United Nations has warned in a leaked draft report.
Man-made global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions is already here and its effects "might already be considered dangerous", according to the draft of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report."

Humans will cook the earth regardless of fuel used. Unless #degrowth

Free Public Transit: Exponential Economist Meets Finite Physicist | Do the Math: ""Alright, the Earth has only one mechanism for releasing heat to space, and that’s via (infrared) radiation. We understand the phenomenon perfectly well, and can predict the surface temperature of the planet as a function of how much energy the human race produces. The upshot is that at a 2.3% growth rate (conveniently chosen to represent a 10× increase every century), we would reach boiling temperature in about 400 years. [Pained expression from economist.] And this statement is independent of technology. Even if we don’t have a name for the energy source yet, as long as it obeys thermodynamics, we cook ourselves with perpetual energy increase."
"

Walking, biking and taking public transit tied to lower weight

Reuters: "(Reuters Health) - People who walk, bike or take public transportation to work tend to be thinner than those who ride in their own cars, according to a new study from the UK."

Kampanja: Besplatan Javni Prevoz - Stop Bus Plus

99% Srbije: " Zatim, Talin u Estoniji postao prva Evropska prestonica koja je uvela besplatan javni prevoz za sve građane od početka 2013. godine. Tu meru je gradska uprava Talina (posle sprovedenog referenduma) implementirala zbog pozitivnih socijalnih, ekonomskih i ekoloških rezultata koje je uvođenje besplatnog javnog prevoza u Belgiji, Holandiji, Francuskoj, Poljskoj, Mađarskoj i ostalim evropskim zemljama donelo njegovim stanovnicima i društvu."

Ireland - free August travel for child Leap Card holders

BreakingNews.ie: "The National Transport Authority has announced free transport for all children aged between four and 18 who have a Leap Card in August.
The offer is available from now until August 24.
It includes travel on Dublin Bus, Luas, Swords Express, DART and Irish Rail in Dublin.
The move is to encourage families to use public transport in the final weeks of the school holidays."

Osnabrück, Germany, considering free public transport

Machbarkeitsstudie für Bürgerticket: Stadt Osnabrück prüft fahrscheinlosen Nahverkehr: "Osnabrück. Busfahren ohne Ticket? Was bisher nur Schwarzfahrer wagten, könnte in Osnabrück bald jedem erlaubt sein. Die Stadt prüft die Machbarkeit eines fahrscheinlosen öffentlichen Nahverkehrs, bei dem die Kosten auf alle Einwohner umgelegt werden – egal, ob sie den Bus nutzen oder nicht. Ein weiterer Schritt auf dem Weg zum „Bürgerticket“."

Campaign to save free bus pass for seniors in UK

Kidderminster Shuttle: "ALMOST 1,000 people in Kidderminster have signed a petition to save the free bus pass for pensioners.

Wyre Forest Campaign for Better Buses, which was set up by local Green Party members, collected the signatures in protest against Government proposals to axe universal entitlement to the bus pass and, instead, introduce a means-tested system."

Rebels on a journey to defend free travel pass

Mirror Online: "Ros Wynne-Jones meets a growing movement of hundreds of pensioners and disabled people in South and West Yorkshire, the two men have refused to accept cuts to their free services and have been refusing to pay their fares"

Photo: Daily Mirror Simon Ashton

Zašto besplatan prevoz?

Free Public Transport: "Javni prevoz je javno dobro i njegovo korišćenje je osnovno ljudsko pravo.
To je javna služba koju su naši preci pola veka izgrađivali kao servis koji treba da služi svim svojim građanima i ne može NOVAC prepreka tome da ga neko ko nema novca koristi usluge javnog prevoza.

Danas, kada je nas 99% egzistencijalno ugroženo zbog korumpiranosti aktuelnog političkog sistema i pohlepe domaćih i stranih tajkuna sakrivenih iza raznih korporacija i fondova registrovanih u poreskim rajevima, više nego ikada, naša obaveza je da tome stanemo na put."

Free public transport would strengthen the cohesion of German society

ZEIT ONLINE: "But above all, would the zero tariff in a decentralized country like Germany is one that make everyday life easier and strengthen the cohesion of society. The web would be the place to meet the people from all backgrounds. Even low-income earners could visit seaside or afford in the Alps or a concert in the neighboring town. It would be easier to maintain friendships and to visit relatives. The Germans would do and try more. It would be a makeover for the whole country."

DELIVERY OF PETITIONS FOR FREE public transport and proposed strategy for the further direction of its development

DELIVERY OF PETITIONS FOR FREE public transport and proposed strategy for the further direction of its development: "Today we meet in front of the Municipality building at Nikola Pasic Square where the Mayor will, his assistants and members of the City Council publicly deliver a petition with over 6,500 signatures to create a free and sustainable public transport which includes; - Drastic reduction in ticket prices, 
 
  - Introduction of free public transport for secondary school students, university students, the unemployed and people with disabilities, 
 
 
- Unification of the tariff system, 
 
- The introduction of strict public control of these services,
 
- Changing modes of financing and strategy of modernization of public transport
 
  With this act, we want to show our officials in the city government that is a different way of financing and modernization of public transport is possible, and thus start a dialogue which will ensure the creation of sustainable public transport as an integral part of creating a sustainable, socially just and modern metropolis, such as Belgrade."

Poland - More and more cities are choosing to free public transport

Polish Labour Party: "Poland has become a leader in Europe in terms of activity in this topic. Already a totally free communication is or will be later this year, several Polish cities including Zory and Lubin. This is the second city with a population close to 80 thousand. residents will become the largest in Poland with such communication. Besides, many other cities have introduced or will introduce free communication for residents, drivers, free lines, etc. Including all cities which have, or bring a revolutionary solution is now nearly 30, and it's not over yet!"

Une nouvelle ville passe à la gratuité des transports en commun

carfreefrance : "C’était une promesse électorale du maire, la ville de Gaillac dans le Tarn (13.629 habitants) passera à la gratuité des transports en commun le 13 septembre prochain. Gaillac sera alors la 26ème ville française à passer à la gratuité des transports en commun.

Le 11 juin dernier, les élus du conseil municipal de Gaillac ont été particulièrement attentifs lors du rapport d’activité du réseau “Bougenbus”, composé de six lignes de bus.

Avec près de 84 000 voyages enregistrés de septembre 2012 à août 2013, le trafic est en hausse de +150% en un an. Le réseau de 6 lignes emploie 114 personnes, dont 64 à temps complet. Financé par trois actionnaires, le conseil général (1000 actions), la ville de Gaillac (150 actions) et Tarn et Dadou (150 actions), l’exercice financier laisse apparaître un léger déficit de 2.600 €."

Helsinki looks to car-free future with ‘on demand’ transport system

South China Morning Post: "The Finnish capital, Helsinki, has revealed plans to transform its existing public transport network into a "mobility on demand" system that will be so good nobody will need to own a car."

DUP hits back in row over funding OAPs' free travel

BelfastTelegraph.co.uk: ""Let us be clear – no one is putting the concessionary travel scheme under threat apart from Danny Kennedy.

...With a Senior SmartPass, anyone over the age of 65 can travel anywhere in Northern Ireland on any Translink bus or rail service free of charge. They can also enjoy free cross border travel. The scheme costs around £9m a year. While both main unionist parties say they want it protected, the UUP believes an inability to reach agreement on Stormont spending has placed it in jeopardy."

Oil industry fears free public transport anywhere and wants it crushed

Free public transport for pensioners under threat - BelfastTelegraph.co.uk: "The future of free public transport for senior citizens could be in jeopardy because of the stalemate over spending on the Stormont Executive."

Retirees fight for free public transport in UK

The Guardian: "Eleven days ago, on 23 June, I attended the latest of the South Yorkshire Freedom Rides, organised by Barnsley Retirees Action Group (BRAG). About 50 or 60 elderly and disabled people turned up at Barnsley railway station determined to continue our campaign for free train travel by travelling without paying on the train. Some of the 60 had come down just to cheer the rest on. About 40 bought tickets to Wombwell, the first stop down the line, with the intention of freedom riding from Wombwell to Meadowhall."



Photo credit: The Freedom Riders at one of their protests in May this year Photograph: Fran Postlethwaite, Barnsley Retirees Action Group

UK celebrity wants free public transport

Life according to Coronation Street actor Jimi Mistry | Life | Life & Style | Daily Express: "If I could pass any law I would... make public transport free for everybody. There are too many issues with congestion these days, so the least we can do is get people around."

“Hands off”: Older voters send warning to Government on Free Travel Pass

thejournal.ie : "AGE ACTION, THE lobby group representing older people, launched its pre-Budget campaign today —  sending a warning to the Government not to meddle with the Free Travel Pass.
Currently, anyone over 65 is entitled to a pass entitling them to free public transport."

Oil industry wants you in a car, or trapped in your home

Pensioners handcuffed by police at protest at Sheffield Railway Station over cuts to free travel passes | Mail Online: "This is the moment a 65-year-old grandfather is pounced on by police, bent over double and his arms twisted behind his back at a peaceful demonstration by the elderly and disabled.

Tony Nuttall’s arrest at a protest against travel pass cuts was described as disgusting by campaigners last night as police chiefs revealed they were investigating the incident."

Sheffield reporter threatened with arrest under anti-terrorism laws

guardian : "A reporter was threatened with arrest under anti-terrorism laws and forced to erase potentially important video evidence after filming a protest in Sheffield.

The editor of the Sheffield Star has demanded an explanation as to why his reporter, Alex Evans, was warned off filming a protest against cuts to free travel provision for pensioners and disabled people by British transport police officers on Monday."

£4m to improve city bike and bus networks

Evening Times: "The city council was awarded £1.7 million by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, £930,000 from the Cycling Walking and Safer Streets project and £1.2m from Sustrans, the UK charity enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport."

Cars choking Moscow

Moskva-City Petitions for Toll Road to Repel Commuter Traffic | Business | The Moscow Times: "In an interview to business daily Vedomosti published Monday, Oleg Malis, head of City, which manages the business center, said the company had sent the request to City Hall to free Moskva-City from commuters unnecessarily adding to the congestion around the financial center by simply passing through."

US test-driving fascism in Ukraine

Russia and China increase cooperation on energy. US meddling in Mideast is not working very well. US economy is hopelessly car and oil-dependent. But the US has three big weapons left, nuclear blackmail, conventional air strikes, and a brain-washed public. If their international credibility falls much further, the US elite may have to turn to overt Nazi-style fascism on a world scale, so they are testing it out on Ukraine.

Ethnic cleansing of "subhuman" population in East Ukraine

The Propaganda War About Ukraine Washington's Blog: "The major media present a very different picture than you see documented in those links. Voltairenet pointed out how blatantly the major media lie. Headlining, “Kiev regime bombs civilians in eastern Ukraine,” they noted that those bombings were shown “only on Russian TV channels” even though “The OSCE mission in Ukraine has confirmed that the incident involving the administrative building in Lugansk was indeed an airstrike.” Moreover, “To this day, the Western media have ‘refrained’ from broadcasting the images of the civilian victims killed at the Lugansk administrative headquarters, despite their being available on Russian television and on the internet.”"

Demonstration in Greece for free public transport

Livorno will have Free Pubblic Transport

Due anni fa iniziavo a studiare il tema del trasporto pubblico con Cristiano Zanella in seno al meetup trentino.
Giungemmo alla conclusione che la bigliettazione fosse economicamente inutile e che servisse solo a bloccare l'utilizzo del mezzo pubblico da parte della popolazione.
Abbiamo girato l'Europa e conosciuto persone del calibro di Allan Alaküla, che per la città di Tallinn segue il Trasporto Pubblico Gratuito.
Partecipando alla School of Free Public Transport di Tallinn ho avuto l'opportunità di parlare con gli amministratori di Aubagne, Hasselt, Chengu...tutte amministrazioni che applicano o che hanno applicato il FPT.
Non è sufficiente togliere i biglietti per rendere il TPL efficiente, lo sappiamo. Ma l'obiettivo è trasformare le città in luoghi vivibili e a misura delle persone, non delle automobili.
Quando Enrico Pecoretti mi ha invitato a Livorno per parlare di FPT ho accettato immediatamente. Ho trovato un gruppo di persone che hanno compreso immediatamente la potenzialità del progetto.
Ora Filippo Nogarin è stato eletto sindaco di Livorno proprio grazie a quel gruppo di persone.
E la prima dichiarazione è stata proprio sui servizi e sulla gratuità del trasporto pubblico.

Il neo sindaco Filippo Nogarin, Movimento 5 Stelle, ha infatti dichiarato, all'atto del suo insediamento, le linee guida che caratterizzeranno la gestione nei prossimi 5 anni:

1. abbassare le tasse
2. rendere gratuito il trasporto pubblico, 
3. elargire un bonus per acquistare l’amata bicicletta 
4. dividere i premi produzione dei dirigenti anche agli impiegati che hanno raggiunto ottimi obiettivi. 
5. aprire Livorno agli investitori
6. cancellazione delle grandi opere inutili.

Non solo si può fare, ma sarà un successo!

In bocca al lupo a tutto il gruppo.

Paolo Vergnano

Demonstration: Solidaritet med MPL - hellre nolltaxa än VM

Demonstration: Solidaritet med MPL - hellre nolltaxa än VM: "Movimento Passe Livre (MPL) är en organisation som arbetar för avgiftsfri kollektivtrafik och finns på många brasilianska städer. MPL var en del av att dra igång proteströrelsen, och den 19 juni demonstrerar MPL i bland annat Rio de Janeiro och Sao Paulo. Myndigheterna har svarat genom att försöka kriminalisera protester och gripa nolltaxeaktivister.

För Planka.nu är det självklart är kampen för avgiftsfri kollektivtrafik är global. Därför samlas vi också den 19 juni för att vid Brasiliens Ambassad ge vårt stöd till demonstranterna från MPL och säga: Por uma vida sem catracas! (För ett liv utan spärrar) och Tarifa Zero Já! (Nolltaxa nu!)"

Brazil: Free public transport-protests against the World Cup

Free public transport: "The protests in Brazil are kicking in again, at the same time as the much-disputed football World Cup takes place. The cup claims billions, and activists want social infrastructure, reforms like free pulic transportation and an end to corruption.

On the 19th of June, Movimento Passe Livre (The Free Pass-movement) will arrange protests in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo  and Natal.

The authorities are trying to criminalize protesters, and global support may shift the focus to the protesters demands. In Stockholm, a solidarity demonstration will also be held on the 19th and marsch to the Brazilian Embassy.

Tarifa Zero jà!"

Big powers fight over energy, to keep wasteful autosprawl alive

Ukraine, Arab Spring, Cold War II and Price Wars Hardly Disguised: "When US President Barack Obama began the campaign to “punish” Vladimir Putin and Russia over interference in Ukraine, we all should have known there was more to the story. And there is. As it turns out, Ukraine’s violence, and most of the unrest abroad in fact,  is a competition in between huge investment partners, gas companies like Exxon Mobile, and Russia’s Gazprom. As for the people, the public? They are just collateral damage, pawns or meaningless in a worldwide corporate game for profit. The Obama administration, and almost all the western governments are involved in one way or other, are fighting a price war over gas against Russia."

End of cheap energy -- bankers unleash their fascists in Ukraine

Rochdale, UK, free public transport for jobseekers

Rochdale Online: "Job seekers can now travel free on buses when attending job interviews, as well as enjoy free or discounted public transport during the first few months in their new job. "

Leap card fares are going to get cheaper for teenagers aged 18 and under

thejournal.ie : "THE CHILD FARE rate for the Leap card will now be extended to 16, 17 and 18 year olds from this August.
Usually 16 is the cut off age for child fares and when adult fare prices kick in."

Scotland - free public transport for retired people

Poor argument - The Scotsman: "The current Scottish Government has legislated for free prescriptions and free public transport for the retired. Prof Trewavas seems to think these policies favour the rich and middle classes. However, demographics clearly show those in poverty tend to be both the sickest and those who make most use of public transport. It follows that such changes actually help those in poverty much more than they help those who are not."

Barcelona - People want more #publictransit, less fares

https://www.facebook.com/indignatszonafranca.lamarina

Zero fares & car bans reduce traffic congestion & air pollution in Paris

Fare-Free New Zealand: "In March, air pollution in northern France reached dangerous levels and resulted in a strong government response. Public transportation fees were removed and cars were partially banned from the roads. This month, as data are released by Airparif, one can see that this response led to a drop in Paris road traffic of 18% and 6-30% drop in air pollution levels."

Cheap parking is unfair to non-drivers

Havant election candidates grilled on parking and town centres - Portsmouth News: "Mr Cheshire, who is defending his Hart Plain seat, acknowledged there are problems with parking in the borough.

But he added: ‘It’s a balancing act. But why should people who don’t have cars pay for people who do use cars to go into the town centres?’"

Public transportation is the future, says expert

Khaleej Times: "Predicting a “thrilling” urban mobility in the future, Dr Lichtenegger said public transport is the efficient and sustainable solution bearing in mind that investing in future mobility is the real innovation. “There will be critical changes in lifestyles, and these will cause changes in mobility behaviour, and people will be sharing economy, and steering away from individualism.”"

Safety suffers as we cannot afford to fix our cars

Independent.ie: "Bluntly, it found that they have cut back on maintenance. And that is a real cause for concern because they could be compromising the safety of their vehicles and their families."

Public transport at popular prices -- free transport for the unemployed

https://www.facebook.com/StopPujades

Tories lavish money on cars, but have none for people

Anger as council covers playground in « Express & Star: "The tarmacked playground is the latest in a series of controversies after it was revealed the council is spending a further £10,000 on its car park outside the Council House to relocate a flag pole just months after it shelled out £32,000 on resurfacing the same car park.

The authority also faced a barrage of criticism for shelling out £50,000 for a new Jaguar XJ to transport the mayor to civil functions."

Plataforma #StopPujadesTransport

https://www.facebook.com/StopPujades?

FPT in Livorno (IT)

Following Trentino and Genova, the Movimento 5 Stelle proposes, in his election program for the municipal elections, the Free Pubblic Transport.

In 21th of January, the italian FPT advocate expounded the idea in a meeting.

Yesterday evening, 10th may, Filippo Nogarin, the Movimento 5 Stelle candidate for mayor, thanking the FPT's advocate, presented the program for the city of Livorno.

The FPT can become a reality in an important city of central Italy.

As FPT advocate I ask all the people involved to spread the word and encourage the choice of Movimento 5 Stelle candidate.

Paolo Vergnano

@paolohippos

Lubin, Poland, city council to vote on free public transport

Public transport for free! - Lupine - city portal: "- I will vote for - betrays the chairman of the city council Andrew Lubin Górzyński. - I believe that the President had a very good idea. Public transport is the future. In one place a little lose, but gain in others. It seems to me that the people with cars will change to public transport. This will reduce the load on the road, there will be less pollution ... - calculates.

Free public transport is the idea of ​​President Robert Raczynski Lubin. The project has already directed the relevant resolution to the city council. It will be debated on it May 20. If it accepts, Lubin jeździliby free public buses in the autumn of this year."

Plataforma #StopPujadesTransport

Plataforma #StopPujadesTransport: "Esteu convidades a la primera Taula Popular del Transport Públic. Dijous 29 a les 19h a la seu de la FAVB.

-Reivindiquem la rebaixa de tarifes de transport públic.
-Exigim la destitució del Consell d'Administració de l'Autoritat del Transport Metropolità, amb el Conseller Santi Vila al capdavant."

Paris plan incorporates more fare-free public transport to fight pollution

Paris: New plan to avoid repeat of pollution crisis - The Local: " on the second day of levels above 50 microgrammes the city’s municipal bicycle and car rental schemes should be made free for the duration, the report urges."

Loneliness a serious health problem. UK solution? Take away free public transport for OAP's

Tea and Empathy - A Simple and Effective Way to Alleviate the Loneliness of More Than a Million Older People | Trevor Lyttleton: "According to Age UK's latest poll hot from the press, 40% of elderly people rely on their TV or pet for company, 12.5% of older people feel cut off from society and, for the first time, more than a million say they are usually lonely."

Russia: Khanty take action to stop road construction through sacred site

intercontinentalcry.org : "On April 28, Representatives of the Khanty community of Nizhnevartovsk district blocked operations of the “Varyoganneft” oil company which is building a road through a sacred lichen grove to an oil deposit on the Khanty’s ancestral lands.

Local residents erected a Chum (a Siberian nomad tent) to block passage of the company’s equipment and are not planning to remove it until the oil workers leave."

Zory, Poland, Free Public Transport is unconditional

City Hall Zory: "Lines of the Free Public Transport ie, those numbered 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 and 07 are free for all people ie both residents Zory and people outside of our city. Free bus ride for these lines is not conditional upon the legitimacy or other document issued by the City of Zory. It is the only solution in Poland."

UK rail privatization a wasteful scam

Miliband eyes state control of railways - FT.com: "In their letter, the candidates said: “Train companies walk away with hundreds of millions of pounds every year, despite running monopoly services and benefiting from £4bn of public investment in the rail network every year.”"

Bicycle critical mass in Belgrade

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Tasuta ühistransport kogub Poolas üha rohkem austajaid

pealinn.ee : "Jaanuarist alates on Poola linnas Gostynis ühistransport kõigile tasuta, samuti rakendub 1. maist tasuta ühistransport Zory linnas."

More and more places in Europe where cars are banned

Jim Motavalli

Europe is going car-free (and loving it) | MNN - Mother Nature Network: "Europe has gotten anti-car fever, and its enhancing the quality of life. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of car-free oases in Europe now — check out a few of them here. I’m in Dublin, Ireland, and for a taste of the local flavor, I made my way over to famous Grafton Street, where I found street dancers, buskers and caricature artists all doing a brisk business from strolling crowds eating ice cream."

Traffic on my 7.2 km long way to work on friday, April 25, 2014 from 6am to 8am

I was really surprised at the outcome of my traffic count on this only 7.2 km long way from my home to my work place. I counted an incredible 682 cars, 8 half-empty or completely empty buses, 12 trucks, 3 motorcyclists and just 3 bicyclists and 2 pedestrians.

That's what the structure of traffic (including pedestrians and drivers) should look like on this part of the road -- or in the world for that matter -- if we truly want to do something about what we always talk about yet take too little action: saving energy and fossil resources, clean the air, lessen the consequences of climate change and especially improving our health. It's imperative that we step from words to personal actions. Immediately. All of us.