Luxembourg set to make all public transport free

Shortly before the New Year, the Government of Luxembourg announced their plans to abolish all fares on public transport.

The plan to abolish all fares on public transport is expected to come into force in summer of this year, with part of the cost being covered by removing a tax break for commuters.

The move will save on costs associated with the collection and processing of fares, and it is also hoped it will encourage a shift away from private cars and ease traffic congestion, which is especially high in the capital, Luxembourg City.

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Increased participation leads to new EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK record

EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK has hit a new participation record, with almost 2,800 towns and cities from 54 countries taking part in 2018. A full list of participants can be viewed online.

This impressive figure marks the third record-breaking year in a row for the campaign. The geographic reach of EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK has also expanded, with towns and cities from 54 countries participating, including several from outside of Europe.

London one of the EU’s worst cities for clean and safe transport, says study

A recent report, commissioned by Greenpeace and completed by Wuppertal Institute, Germany, has ranked London as the third worst city after analysing road safety, air pollution and transport cost.

After investigating 13 EU cities, only Moscow and Rome had scores worse than London, with the English capital revealed to be the second most unsafe city to walk or cycle in, with 22.3 accidents per 1,000,000 bike trips.

In a more positive light, London scored second best in ‘mobility management’, which considered low-emission zones, transport apps and car-sharing schemes.

Recently, Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, has discussed the potential implementation of car-free days within the capital and plans to charge the most polluting vehicles more with ultra-low emissions zones. The UK government has also published a new clean air strategy, which claims to reduce the health costs of pollution to society by approximately £1 billion per year by 2020.

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Diesel tax set to increase

The UK’s Transport Secretary, has proposed an increase on tax for diesel in an effort to cut down on air pollution. His statement has caused great concern among haulage firms, since increased taxes would result to higher costs to deliver goods. This will ultimately influence prices for consumers. This decision was based on an estimation of the Royal College of Physicians that around 40,000 people die sooner than expected in the UK each year due to air pollution. The also stated that this increased air pollution is due to the amount of diesel cars on the road day by day.

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From Lithuanian-Belarusian state border to Klaipėda by electric train – in 2022 already

Using the investment of the European Union funds, Lithuania plans to electrify the entire railway line crossing the territory of the country in the East-West direction, from the Lithuanian-Belarusian state border to Klaipėda, until 2022. The list of state projects financed from the EU funds, in which projects dedicated to this purpose are planned, has been supplemented at the order of the Minister of Transport and Communications Rokas Masiulis. The total value of electrification projects is EUR 349.1 million, of which EUR 224.1 million is the planned investment from the EU Cohesion Fund, and the remaining funds will be allocated by JSC Lithuanian Railways.

Urban mobility: Riga develops its tram network with EU financial support

Over €65.5 million from the Cohesion Fund is invested in tram infrastructure development in the Latvian capital, in line with the objectives of the Energy Union's low-emission mobility strategy.

​Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Creţu said: "The EU invests for a better quality of life in Riga, with a modern and clean public transport system. Traffic will be smoother, air quality will be better and residents and tourists alike will enjoy a fast ride through the city."  The tram line will directly connect the fast-growing neighbourhood of Skanste, near the city centre, to the main transport hubs in Riga – the central railway station, the coach terminal and the Freeport. In addition to rebuilt or new tram line infrastructure, the EU will co-finance the purchase of 12 tramcars to ensure a minimum service frequency of one car every 10 minutes.  

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How a transport plan in London is tackling public health issues (UK)

In response to public health challenges facing the city, London introduced a Transport Action Plan in 2014.  Developed by a Public Health Consultant working in Transport for London (TfL), the city's transport authority, it outlines transport-related measures for improving the health of Londoners. The Plan sets out 10 action points related to TfL's 'business as usual' processes that, if undertaken, should help TfL respond to public health challenges. The Healthy Streets Approach contained within the Plan is crucial: this seeks to increase active mobility levels and in turn reduce the incidence of diseases and conditions linked to or exacerbated by physical inactivity, such as Type 2 Diabetes. The Plan was first adopted in 2014 and is being implemented until the end of 2017.