Free public transport being planned in Luxembourg

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Luxembourg is slated to be the first country in the world to abolish fares from all its forms of public transportation.

Grand Duchy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel introduced the plan yesterday, Dec. 5, when he took office for his second term, as reported by The Guardian on the same day. Starting 2020, tickets for trains, trams and buses in the country will be scrapped.

The government, however, has yet to divulge their plans for the first- and second-class compartments on trains.

The transport policy was formulated in response to the traffic congestion being experienced in landlocked Luxembourg. During his election campaign, Bettel also emphasized the importance of environmental protection.

Currently, commuters only have to pay €2 (about P120) for up to two hours of travel, the report stated. The fare covers almost all journeys in the country with the size of only 999 square miles.

In order to fund the initiative, a percentage of the cost will be covered by removing a tax break for commuters.

Aside from free public transport, Bettel’s coalition government seeks to legalize the purchase, possession and consumption of cannabis for recreational use, as per the publication. The new government also plans to introduce two new public holidays. Kate Matriano/JB

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