If #freepublictransport is good for World Cup 2018, it should be good for rush hour

Mirror Online: "Russian organisers have put into place a revolutionary new scheme - Fan ID - to offer transport around the whole country which will not cost a penny.

One of the biggest complaints from previous tournaments and also concerns about hosting the World Cup in Russia was the huge cost of travel which can run into thousands of pounds.

But the Fan ID system allows supporters to register when they buy a match ticket, get a free visa and then completely free public transport within cities and between host cities."

Sofia uses #freepublictransport to fight dirty air

Sofia News Agency : "The Transport Commission in Sofia Municipality accepted the quality management program for the polluted air yesterday, reported dnes.bg.

A new system will warn the capital citizens for an expected exceed in the levels of fine particles in the air, and will be ready by the end of the summer.

When this happens, the public transport will be free, as well as driving in the city will be restricted."

Poor people forced to breathe bad air

intellinews : "Overall the study finds that more than 80% of people living in urban areas that monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO limits, with populations in low-income cities the most impacted. 98% of cities in low- and middle income countries with more than 100,000 inhabitants do not meet the body’s air quality guidelines, while in high-income countries the percentage is a still worrying 56%."

Manchester mayoral candidates pledge #freepublictransport for young people

BBC News: "Labour candidate Andy Burnham and English Democrat mayoral hopeful Steven Morris have both pledged free public transport for young people."

Japan: Capitalists panicked over falling birth rate, but admit they caused it

The Independent: "By 2065 nearly 40 per cent of the country will be senior citizens. There will be 1.3 workers for every person over the age of 65, compared to 2.3 in 2015. Economists have described the situation as a “demographic time bomb”.
....“That’s because of the increase in irregular workers and the fact that more and more people cannot marry for economic reasons, even if they want to.”"

Pensioners in Russia fight to keep #freepublictransport

openDemocracy: "The initiative group’s actions have been mirrored by another movement in the city — Novosibirsk’s pensioners, who were prominent during Russia’s 2011-2012 protests. Their actions largely centre around the protection of existing benefits (and thus recognition of status), such as the planned removal of free unlimited public transport in 2011, which inspired them to protest every two weeks in the city centre. Novosibirsk pensioner groups have also protested the tariff rise. And now that regional legislators (including United Russia deputies) want to reconsider the tariff hike, it looks like protests do matter."

Malta - #freepublictransport the obvious solution, but none dare say it

maltatoday : "It seems tedious to always be talking about the traffic, but it is probably the one major issue about which there is consensus. The problem is getting worse, and successive governments have failed to truly provide an efficient enough public transport system which will make us release our firm grip on our car keys, and opt for the bus instead."