Autos wield power in German government

Angela Merkel's wrecking of EU car emissions deal risks her reputation | Hanna Gersmann | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk: "Stories such as these are indicative of the unholy alliance between Germany's political class and the car industry. Few sectors wield such power in the Bundestag as Daimler and co. "

Lugoj, Romania adopts free public transport

Fare-Free New Zealand: "Lugoj became the first city in Romania which adopted a "free of charge" policy to the citizens using public transportation. The measure comes to encourage people to ride in buses, as well as to decrease the number of cars circulating in the city."

Brazil people demand: Free public transport, No tax cuts, Stop treating protesters like criminals

Brazilian protests delegates unsatisfied with President Rousseff’ proposals — MercoPress: "They also express disagreement with the removal of taxes as demanded by the transport companies and that Brazil must invest eleven more times in individual transport with major public works and credit policies for the consumption of vehicles, than on public transport”.
“Giving up taxes means losing power over public monies, awarding blindly resources to the transport mafias, with no transparency or controls”, points out the letter from the Free Fares movement that was started in 2005, in the framework of the World Social Forum held in Brazil.
Finally the group rejects the criminalization and repression of the demonstrations “which, after all are the only reason why the Presidency has invited us.
“This meeting with the president was forced by the people in the streets, who dared to advance despite tear gas canisters, rubber bullets and all sorts of pressures and police resources."

'via Blog this'

Brazil group urges free transport for all

Oman Observer: "SAO PAULO — The Free Pass Movement (MPL) that sparked Brazil's nationwide street protests urged President Dilma Rousseff to boost investments in public transport and grant free transport for all. In an open letter to Rousseff posted on its website, the MPL's Sao Paulo branch said the movement accepted the president's invitation to join talks in Brasilia later Monday to improve shoddy public services and fight corruption.
"Transport should be treated as a social right... We are campaigning for a free pass (free transport) for all," the group said. While all state governors in the country have pledged to give priority to collective transport, "in reality Brazil invests 11 times more in individual transport, through road works and credit policies aimed at encouring car purchases, " MPL said. "Public money should (instead) be invested in public transport"."

Imagine theres no cars, wonder if you can. Bristol car-free Sunday closes roads

BBC News: "Baldwin Street, King Street and Corn Street are among the roads shut to traffic in Mayor George Ferguson's Make Sunday Special initiative.

Some people claim Mr Ferguson - who was closing the roads from 09:00 to 18:00 BST - is anti-motorist.

But he has hailed the day a great success and said he is not concerned about the critics.

Shale gas won't stop peak oil, but could create an economic crisis

Nafeez Ahmed | Environment | guardian.co.uk: ""These shale oil and shale gas resource estimates are highly uncertain and will remain so until they are extensively tested with production wells.""

Free Fare Movement - Brazil - Don't come to the World Cup

A demonstrator holds a banner during one of the many protests around Brazil's major cities in Sao Paulo June 17, 2013. (REUTERS/Nacho Doce)

Free Fare Movement - Brazil: " The movement came about centered around the struggle to reduce the public transportation fares, supplemented by the fight for free fare andthe right to the city. Those are the causes the Free Fare Movement stands for, as they have been developing for a decade, with demonstrations that vary in size along those years."

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