Free public transport for residents of Tallinn, Estonia

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Free public transport programme for residents of Tallinn, Estonia, aims for equal mobility opportunities

The City of Tallinn (Estonia) started providing free public transport to its residents from January 1, 2013, making Tallinn the first capital in the European Union to provide free public transport to its citizens. The programme was initiated by the Tallinn City Government which is led by the Center Party.

Not for visitors
Fares are free for residents registered as living in Tallinn, but not for tourists and visitors. Residents are still required to validate their travel card when boarding. Anyone found without a validated travel ticket will be fined €40.

Global attention
Instead of the free public transport costing them money, the city reports that they are turning a profit of €20 million a year. It is no surprise that there is great interest in Tallinn’s free public transport program from all over the world.

Equal opportunities for all citizens
The programme aims to safeguard social cohesion of the local community in Tallinn, granting equal mobility opportunities to all social strata. This especially benefits price-sensitive residents. It also aims to incentivise car-drivers to switch to public transport, thus reducing pollution and noise, and, in the long run, improving living standards of all citizens. The Tallinn metropolitan area has set itself the target of reducing its car traffic by 10-20% by 2035.

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