Denmark Announces 61% Tax on Oil Companies to Fund Clean Rail Project

Occupy.com: "The Danish government recently announced a $5.2 billion investment to modernize the country's rail system and put new trains on the tracks to replace the old ones. The new trains will be high speed, electrically driven, and will pollute far less. It represent the biggest single investment in infrastructure in Denmark’s history and will reduce CO2 emissions significantly.

Funding for the project will come from restructuring the country's resource taxation system: by forcing 11 oil companies that drill in the seabed of Denmark's North Sea to pay a higher tax."

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Rail privatisation: legalised larceny

The Guardian: "The figures are astonishing. In the financial year ending in March 2012, the train companies gained an average return of 147% on every pound they put into their business. Forget about high: that is stratospheric. It suggests that – despite all the promises made by the freshly rehabilitated John Major – the train operators are investing barely anything, but making bumper returns.

...No wonder Richard Branson is a billionaire with his own private island. No wonder Tim O'Toole, boss of FirstGroup, and Brian Souter, head of Stagecoach, are on more than a million quid a year each. They are rewarded handsomely for handing over every spare penny to their shareholders."

Free public transport needed in Umeå Sweden

Västerbotten Courier: "... price of bus tickets in the municipality will be increased by five crowns. This is a trend that goes in the wrong direction. In Umeå, it is time that instead would pursue the issue of free public transport. Such investment costs - but also brings a number of benefits. For the municipality, but also for individuals, especially women.
So says Kajsa Markstrom representing the Feminist Initiative in Umeå."

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Sweden - People's Initiative - Zero Tariff Örebro!

People's Initiative - Zero Tariff Örebro!: "Zero Tariff Örebro has now organized a petition to try to push through free public transport. Under the Local Government Act , politicians must hold a referendum if 10% of the electorate is writing a list of names. The objective is thus approx. 10,000 names. , we need all the names we can get, there will not be any requirement for you after you have signed the list of names, and we will not send you lots of advertising to your home. The only requirement is that you is living in Örebro Municipality and that you are entitled to vote! For more information, see the tabs About Us and facts , or send an email to kontakt@nolltaxaorebro.se"

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The global economy sinks under its debts as the real cost of energy rises

City A.M.: "The essential point is that the economy is not a monetary system governed by the theoretical “laws” of economics, but an energy dynamic determined by the all-too-real laws of thermodynamics. Once we understand this, the squeeze on household prosperity becomes far less of a mystery."

Tallinn Extends Free Public Transport Law to Trains

Photo: Postimees/Scanpix

ERR: "Rewarding its voter base and rubbing in election defeat for opponents, the Center Party has followed through on a pledge to extend Tallinn's free public transport law to commuter trains, effective Monday.

The City of Tallinn and Elron, the nationally owned train company, have signed an agreement waiving train tickets for trips within Tallinn for passengers who are residents of the city."

Protect your city center from the private auto with #freetransit

Eltis - The urban mobility portal - Show news - Taking stock of free public transport in Tallinn (Estonia): "Tallinn decided to offer PT free of charge in an effort to reduce congestion and protect the city centre, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Furthermore, the city wanted to curb noise, pollution and accidents. The city administration was also motivated by social and economic considerations."

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