UK Independent publishes writer calling for fare-free #publictransport

According to United Nations research, cities consume 78 per cent of the world’s energy and produce more than 60 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, yet they only account for just under 2 per cent of the earth’s surface. Rapid urbanisation is exacerbating this imbalance. To limit global warming in the way we all claim to want to, we need to dramatically overhaul how we use energy and infrastructure and transportation is a significant part of that.

Cars account for about 40 per cent of all global greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. Encouraging the 8 million people who live in London to use public transport would not only dramatically improve congestion and therefore quality of living, but it would also slash emissions in one of Europe’s most polluted cities.

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/climate-change-heatwave-global-warming-free-public-transport-luxembourg-a9023181.html 

Monheim start free public transport

https://www.themayor.eu/en/monheim-introduces-free-public-transport

Mayor of Monehim Daniel Zimmermann has not been dismayed, however. Starting April 2020, the city will make all the lines of its public transport fleet free of charge. As the town has been developing rapidly and has been growing richer and richer, the local authorities are more than ready to take over the full cost of public transportation. Estimates on the costs range between 2.5 and 3 million euro, which will be allocated from the city’s budget surplus. When presenting his vision for the future of the city, Zimmerman stated that "We have committed ourselves in our climate concept to reduce emissions".

Porto City - children to ride free

Porto City Council has unanimously approved the creation of "Porto 13-15", enabling 13 to 15-year olds to travel free of charge on the TIP public transport system within the city.
During the council session, Porto Mayor, Rui Moreira, justified this decision by saying “at these ages, habits are born and changed”.
He spoke of it being a fundamental measure related to mobility and climate change.
However, he assumed that it would be necessary to improve supply and comfort.

https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/free-public-transport-for-13-15-year-olds/50344 

Scottish Socialist Party Campaign for fare-free public transport #freepublictransport

Scottish Socialist Party branches and members took to bus, ferry, train, tram and subway stations on Saturday 15th June, campaigning for Free Public Transport as part of a national day of action.

https://scottishsocialistparty.org/free-public-transport-day-of-action/ 

Free public transport would solve many problems

The Scottish Parliament has the power to take ScotRail, CalMac and all national and local bus companies into public ownership. We should use these powers to provide free public transport for all. This would radically reduce CO2 emissions and congestion, free people from rip-off fares and toxic pollution, end private profiteering in public services, alleviate pressure on the NHS (through reduced road accidents and increased air quality) and give people a sustainable and affordable travel option.

https://www.thenational.scot/politics/17705315.free-public-transport-is-the-answer-to-several-problems/ 

German cities "testing" #freepublictransport

Citizens in Monheim will be able to ride buses without a ticket from April 2020, regional newspaper the Rheinische Post has reported. 

The radical plan is a bid to reduce air pollution by encouraging more people to ditch their cars and take public transport. 

The move comes after the German government last year said it was considering free public transport “to reduce the number of private cars”. 

Since then, five German cities – Bonn, Essen, Herrenberg, Mannheim and Reutlingen – have been earmarked to offer significantly cheaper transport tickets, with the government poised to subsidize the projects with €128 million to help cover the income shortfall.

https://www.thelocal.de/20190618/why-this-german-city-plans-to-make-public-transport-free? 

Free Public Transport