All of the country’s buses, trains, and trams will be free starting next year in a move to help residents struggling with the cost of living.
Marc Auxenfants takes a closer look at Luxembourg’s free public transit plan, slated to start in March 2020. While most of the country’s commuters drive to work, government officials say the measure is less about environmental and congestion issues and more about addressing economic inequality.
Luxembourg is a wealthy nation, but poverty is on the rise. "Free public transport is one of several pieces of social legislation the recently re-elected government is keen to pass in 2019, including raising the minimum wage, pension adjustments and financial aid for higher education," reports Auxenfants.
The cost of providing free transit is relatively minimal since the network is already heavily subsidized. Supporters say lifting the burden of travel costs will help low-income residents. But critics argue the support is misplaced and policies should instead focus on high housing costs in Luxembourg.
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