Luxembourg becomes first country to provide free public transport

Luxembourg will become the first country in the world on Saturday (Feb 29) to offer a free public transport system as the government tries to reduce particularly dense car traffic. Some cities have already taken similar partial measures but the transport ministry said it was the first time such a decision would cover an entire country. The free transport, which is being flagged as "an important social measure", will affect about 40 per cent of households and is likely to save each one around €100 (US$110) per year. The measure is part of a plan intended to reduce congestion. Private cars are the most used means of transport in the Grand Duchy. According to a 2018 survey by TNS Ilres, cars accounted for 47 per cent of business travel and 71 per cent of leisure transport.