A bill is being drafted in Tallinn that will abolish public transport charges. In favor of such a decision put forward by the city hall, local residents voted. If this happens, the Estonian capital will be the first to implement this idea on a similar scale.
The other day in Tallinn a legitimate survey was held among the local population on the transition to free public transport. A total of 68, 059 people voted. Of these, 75.5% of people voted in favor of such an innovation, which should enter into force in 2013.
The transition to free travel is due to the need to improve the transport infrastructure of the city - to eliminate traffic jams that are boring to everyone, reduce the number of traffic accidents and keep roads in good condition. In addition, such an innovative solution will help low-income families, and over time, and will improve the ecology of the city.
According to the authorities, a family of four using free public transport can save about 600 euros a year. With this money you can buy many useful things. True, only residents of the capital will be able to travel without tickets in public transport, while the rest will still have to pay the right to travel.
The bill on switching to free transport will be presented at the City Assembly in September. In the meantime, free buses, trolleybuses and trams for the purpose of the experiment will carry residents of Tallinn on weekends. Today in Tallinn, more than 100 thousand people travel by public transport, of which 76 thousand use travel cards.
However, not all local residents agree with this decision. Some believe that public transport should not only be free, but also comfortable. And the last condition can hardly be feasible with a large crowd of people in buses and trolleybuses.
A similar idea has already been implemented in 36 cities of different countries, where a small number of people live. And, as practice shows, the standard of living in them has only become better - the number of residents has increased, the economy has improved. If this bill comes into force, Tallinn will become the first city to make the transition to free public transport on such a scale.
