From March 1^st, 2020, Luxembourg became the first country to make all public transport free. This was done to ease congestion caused by commuters travelling within the tiny European principality, as well as to and from neighbouring countries.

The reaction from many was: “Wow! Really? What a brilliant idea! Why can’t larger countries do the same? It makes so much sense.”

One positive take-away from the Covid-19 pandemic – quite opposite to the negativity generally associated with the virus – relates to transport. Scientific research shows that imposition of lockdowns meant an absence of fuel burning vehicles on our streets. Collection of emissions data and associated research (in Wuhan, China, for example) proved there was a drastic reduction in exhaust emissions and a corresponding decrease in air pollution from such gases as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, two of the gaseous drivers of Climate Change. This in turn equates to healthier environments and healthier people.

Free transport encourages a massive switch away from private vehicles, to public rapid transit systems. Commuters are encouraged to use public systems both for the well-being of themselves, and the blue-green planet we all inhabit. A widespread use of transport systems such as trains, trams, and buses leads to a reduction in the use of private vehicle by individuals. The resulting improvement in air quality (especially if the public systems are driven by renewable energies, and not fossil fuels) means healthier lives and less hospital admissions. At the same time, our local environment is improved due to a decline in acid rains, and our planetary wellbeing is assisted through a decrease in toxic gases going into the atmosphere, so helping us to tackle the climate crisis..

The negative aspect of less income for the public purse is more than cancelled out by the positives accruing to a region, its people … and our planet.

IN SHORT: A WIN-WIN SITUATION! SURELY MANY MORE PLACES CAN DO THE SAME.

Duncan Gregory