UK media praises Luxembourg plan for free public transport – with caveats

The Guardian warned that free public transport could dissuade people from walking and cycling, whilst The Independent predicted a nightmare on rush hour trains if passengers could ride for free.

Rik Thomas

17 December 2018

Luxembourg will make all pubic transport free from summer 2019 – but will it work there and would it be a good idea here? The UK media is unsure

The news that the small but rich European state of Luxembourg is planning to make all public transport free to use in 2019 generated a brief media debate concerning whether this is a good idea and whether we in the UK could or should follow suit. Particularly enthusiastic about the concept was Guardian leader writer Susanna Rustin. “Hooray for free buses – this is how we create a greener, cleaner world,” she said on 7 December. “What’s not to like about...