Sul dedicated website, shouting the hashtag #CEstUnGrandJour ("It's a great day"), the novelty is even compared to the first man on the moon, or to the discovery of the force of gravity, or even to the invention of the wheel. Perhaps this is a bit exaggerated, but what Luxembourg is launching today, Sunday 1st March, is effectively an event of historic significance: it officially becomes the first country in the world to offer free public transport to everyone, always, by any means and without distinction.
From today, therefore, on buses, trams and even trains (provided they are within national borders) throughout Luxembourg, i.e. on an area of 2.586 square km, admission is free, except in first class trains: those who choose comfort will have to agree to pay something, even if the prices are not even that exorbitant.
For example, for a 2-hour timed ticket, valid throughout the (small…) national territory, the cost is 3 euros; the carnet of 10 tickets of the same type costs 24 euros; the daily 6 euros, the monthly 75 euros, the yearly 660 euros (200 euros for the elderly). As mentioned, second class by train instead becomes completely free within the borders, while you will continue to pay for the sections that connect the small state with France and Germany, even if only for the section in foreign territory.
This novelty affects many workers cross-border workers, who will thus continue to pay but at reduced prices. Depending on the areas visited, a day pass can cost 5 or 9 euros, for example, and a monthly pass 40 or 85 euros.
The revolutionary measure was wanted by the three parties that form the government majority installed in October 2018. In Luxembourg, a country with 620.000 inhabitants (of 170 different nationalities), the total annual cost of the transport system amounts to 500 million euro, of which only 41 million (8%) was covered by ticket and season ticket sales. The loss was therefore considered relative and will be covered without problems by the state coffers.
As for the possible overcrowding of the vehicles, given the free nature, the government has estimated that demand for public transport will increase by 20%, and that investments are already planned to further enhance the network and the service.
