The early kickoff of the initiative may also encourage attendance at the free mobility concert being held in the Luxtram Neien Tramsschapp on Saturday evening.
During a Thursday press conference, mobility minister François Bausch (déi Gréng) shared details of the grand duchy’s longer-term multimodal strategy. Members of the press were also given a preview of Saturday's launch event, with showcases from local music artists Edsun and Stayfou, using a stationary tram as a backdrop, while Serge Tonnar gave a performance synched with a video to his song “Mir wëllen iech one Heemecht weisen”.
Edsun gave a preview performance during Thursday's press conference at the Luxtram Neien Tramschapp Photo: Matic Zorman
€660 per person per year
Bausch specifically addressed scepticism in the media about that the lack of a real social aspect behind the move to introduce free public transport. Just because fares will no longer be levied "doesn’t mean it’s not being paid for anymore,” said the minister. “It is, of course paid for by taxes. That’s an element of social justice. Those who earn more pay more taxes.”
While first-class passengers on trains will still have to pay for their tickets and monthly or annual passes, free public transport will apply to second-class carriages, and across the entire bus and tram networks. Bausch said he also anticipates customer service improvements as staff will be able to focus on other aspects of their job, besides controlling tickets.
But the minister emphasised that it was only long-term investments in public transport that has allowed the government the luxury of introducing the free rides scheme. “We are the champions,” Bausch said, adding that investment has been the equivalent of €660 per person per year—the highest in Europe.
The need for this investment was evident: Luxembourg has seen a 40% population growth in the past 20 years, and over 200,000 cross-border workers currently enter the country daily from neighbouring countries.
Focus on people, not vehicles
But Bausch says long-term strategy needs to be considered in a more holistic, multimodal way.
Public transport services will be expanded in the coming years: plans are already underway to have a fully electrified fleet of buses by 2030, but there are additional goals for 2025: transporting 20% more individuals during peak traffic times, and reducing average train services delays by six minutes, or more by 25%
The use of private automobiles, nevertheless, remains a source of concern for the minister. He called the average car occupancy rate of 1.2 people (or 250,000 empty car seats) simply “catastrophic…we need to be more efficient.”
Weekend festivities
The Saturday free concert kicks off at Luxtram Neien Tramschapp at 6pm.
The City of Luxembourg will also hold a special family-friendly mobility day at the Place d'Armes on Sunday from 11am-4pm (full programme here).
From more info about free public transport visit mobilitegratuite.lu