Free public transport in Estonia

are on time, the trams are shiny and new, and passengers usually get a seat. In many cities that would be remarkable enough. But in Tallinn locals are also not required to buy a ticket. In 2013 it became the world’s first capital city to offer residents free public transport. Estonia as a whole has been following suit, and last year set the ambition of becoming the first country with free public transport nationwide. Buses are now free of charge in 11 of its 15 counties.

Tallinn’s city government came up with the idea of free transport after the 2008 financial crisis. Estonia was hit badly, and even though the city paid more than 70% of public-transport costs, ticket prices were still too high for poorer residents. Congestion had also become a problem. Since Estonia regained independence in 1991, car ownership rates have doubled.Opponents branded the idea populist and unaffordable.

Surprisingly, though, instead of collapsing, public transport has improved, despite a €12m hit to the system’s finances from lost ticket sales. Tallinn’s population has grown, leading to a boost in local tax intake. Additional revenue comes from tourists and non-Tallinn residents, who still have to buy tickets. The use of public transport in Tallinn has gone up by 10%, while the number of cars in the city centre has gone down by 10%, meaning less congestion.

Now other countries are looking at Estonia’s experience. Tallinn officials say they have had interest from local authorities in France, Sweden, Poland, Italy and Germany. Luxembourg is set to introduce free public transport in 2020. Other places have already introduced free public transport for certain groups or at certain times.

Free public transport on its own is not enough to stop people driving, though the evidence is that it helps. In Tallinn higher parking fees and reduced space for cars also played a part in cutting city-centre traffic: on-street parking now costs €6 an hour, and some parking spaces and car lanes have been replaced by bus lanes. Officials say providing a free alternative allowed them to avoid a backlash when driving in the capital was made more expensive and less convenient.

Il grado di civiltà di un paese si misura rapportandolo al prezzo del biglietto dei trasporti!

OOOH.... A GOOD NEWS ....CONGRATULATION ESTONIA....

... there’s nowhere to go...

Didn’t Luxembourg become the 1st?

Great initiative for the public.

Nothing is free

Hope it rapidly spreads worldwide

Nothing its for free. Everbody will pay for this service

mcshanem

Luxemburgo se le adelanto!

It’s such a no brainer I cannot believe they’re first.

Let the quality of life wars begin!!

You mean subsidized

FDantasEstado Lá do tamanho de Sergipe..

Taxpayers will support the free-riders. The transport system will be overloaded due to the excess of unnecessary free trips, which will harm those who really need to get to and back from work.

arielpalacios 'Free' doesn't exist. It's just someone else's money

what a great policy.

Free, but you still pay via taxation. While you’re riding the bus to your heart’s content, you can ponder why you’re no better off in the end

Yeah, that's easy in a small country, but I prefer the system of the place where I live, the basque country, specially in Biscay: you have a card, you charge it with money and you then just pass it through a machine. I mean, it would really be expensive for the state.

With a population of 1.3 million (a little more than a tenth of London) that’s not going to be too difficult.

What a brilliant idea....

There is no 'free transport'. Taxes, clowns.

Cool

SloganMurugan Imagine that! 😊

what about Luxembourg?

免费公共交通，提前进入共产主义了

Estonia is incredible country doing some daring, innovative things. innovation technology easterneurope itspossible

do not say it to italian populists, they may think it is a good idea ...

What sort of objective will free transport achieve?

Applaud Estonia on this progressive step. What an excellent way to improve social inclusion especially for the older, rural based or non driving population, not to mention pollution reduction and car parking problems. The UK could benefit hugely from this.

'first' Luxembourg will have free public transport next year!

cirogomes mesmo a Estônia que não cobra imposto sobre dividendos tem esse projeto, pq ñ no futuro o Brasil não pode realizar isso também hahahahahaha.

Y Estonia nos adelanta por la derecha... MadridCentral

Kenya vision 2072

Wow this is amazing

Estonia is one of 51 country receiveing more tourists then its all population.

Luxemburg has done it already.

Estonia can provide free transport to its citizens. Then, what is the problem to the opposion, if Delhi AAP government wants to provide free transport to women of Delhi to secure their safety. Opposion must come together to ensure the proposal a success.

Very good thinking.

Free means 'tax payer sponsored'. Doesn't sound that good anymore, isn't?

BBoason This is not fair now, my country is still battling to provide rail transportation and stop tickets racketeering where we have managed to provide rail services and you people are talking of free public transport. You people should wait for us to at least catchup. 😤

I believe they also have very reasonably priced university courses.

Free but please pay the government taxes...

dancaribe

great

Well if it's expensive, it really isn't free is it

Can we copy?

What!?

Nice! The revolution has begun. Please adopt this concept for our country. Die_Gruenen CSU spdde fdp Piratenpartei dieLinke FREIEWAEHLER_BV

The second country will be Nigeria

'Cheat me in price, but not the kind of goods.' - Spanish Proverb

In related news, America wants to become the first country where you pay the most in Health Care premiums but with the least amount of actual coverage. ('When you need it most, it's as if you never had insurance at all. Er, despite paying for it.' - proposed slogan)

Not want , is already in force

Luxembourg is the first country in the world to offer free public transport to all. freepublictransport

I can't wait for the libs to say that they did it so why can't we... but sometimes they don't see the whole picture.

Are they going broke like Ontario was pre-Ford?

Oh good. We can pay for that. When we stay in the EU at the Economist's and everyone else's behest

State is like a mother.. proved.. Hats off Estonian Govt

“The Economist”

Free launch

Who will win the race? Estonia or Luxembourg? Independent

Free as far as government services go is a nonsense word.

Might as well: The infrastructure of all transport systems are highly subsidized by Government anyway. StarAdvertiser

Do they pay tax ? Transport can’t be free but is paid using taxpayers money. No free ride and you should stop telling lies period!

“Tax-paid”

Luxembourg already

'Free'...

nice. congratulations for Estonia!

Luxembourg?

So who pays for it? What implications does it have for government finances

“Free” to the individual, but the opportunity cost to society is considerable.

All public transport should be heavily invested in, and free to ride.

MarionJones100 Though getting there is expensive

Sweet

Estonia ? Europe ?

How do they afford it?

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