Germany will pilot free public transport in five cities to address environmental concerns, local media reported on Tuesday.
Among the cities considering the municipalisation of transport services are the former West German capital, Bonn, and Essen, Reytlingen, Mannheim, and Herrenberg. The municipalities selected have not yet been informed and any plans have not been communicated to local authorities. In fact, Bonn’s Mayor Ashok Sridharan was only informed of the plan during the weekend.
It is as yet unknown how the cities would cope with excess demand for the free services or the technology of the buses; currently, most cities use Diesel vehicles. The biggest question is cost, as ticket sales cover half the cost of municipal transport.
Germany received a formal warning by the European Environment Commissioner, Karmenu Vella, underlying the country’s failure to tackle its Carbon and Nitrogen Oxide emissions. Brussels has given Germany and eight EU member states a deadline to provide a clear roadmap for improving air quality standards; alternatively, the Commission will take the case to the European Court of Justice.
Germany continues to make heavy use of coal and is unlikely to meet its 2020 emission goals.
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/germany-considers-free-public-transport-address-air-quality-crisis/
