I live in the only country where public transport is free for everyone - AMA

[expatinspace]

I've been wanting to do a thread like this for a while. I live in Luxembourg which is the only country in the world to offer free public transport to anyone, regardless of whether you are a resident or not.

Happy to answer any questions!

Agree, the petrol is cheap here, I had no idea it was the cheapest in Europe though. Interestingly, the price per litre is set by the government so all petrol stations sell at the same price.

Yes, I agree. I have never driven in from France, Belgium or Germany in the morning rush hour traffic but I have driven out of Luxembourg (we do hire a car sometimes) and the queues are crazy. I don't know how people sit in that everyday, I do understand a lot of people don't have a choice though.

I'm not quite sure which towns but yes, extending the free transport to those border towns will encourage people to leave their car at home if the whole journey is free. I'm not quite sure how this is working out as I believe it's been a recent change.

I honestly do feel very safe here. I agree with another poster about the Gare, it's not nice and I won't let my children go there on their own. But if you were to compare it to some areas of London, it's tame!

I do agree that public transport isn't for everyone and can totally understand why people choose the convenience of a car over it. But I definitely think there's room to mix it up, especially when it can actually be more convenient for some. I will happily read a book on the bus and let the driver navigate the morning chaos.

My daughter is now at University and doesn't live here anymore but she never felt harassed on the buses. Obviously I understand that can be different for everyone.

Wow, I live in London & use the car a far bit as public transport isn't always great contrary to public opinion.

I don’t have a question other than to say this is amazing and exactly what the UK should do

I'm sure when I was in Mumbles one Summer buses were free.

Not a question but I have to say that Luxembourg is the most lovely place I have ever visited. I need to return!

So happy to wear the crown of 'world's shittest AMA'. I'll be sure to wear it whilst riding the free buses.

😆😆

Malta its free for residents i believe, or highly subsidised, and pretty cheap for visitors too.

It is a fantastic place. In the summer, the City is full of tourists and I do observe quite often in those months, people getting on the bus, being told it's free and not quite believing it.

Where did you visit that you really enjoyed?

Malta its free for residents i believe, or highly subsidised, and pretty cheap for visitors too.

Maybe the explains why the buses were so packed when I was there, it was crazy!

I'm sorry to hear about your son @Zimniy. My son also studies Mixed Martial Arts here in Luxembourg.

Here is an interesting article about the Gare; https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2330306.html

I think it's going to take time, but you'll never totally eliminate the crime and antisocial behaviour, surely it'll just move elsewhere. I also avoid Bonnevoie, nowhere near as bad as the Gare, but it does seem to be deteriorating in my experience.

I think if they introduced free public transport in Ireland it would be a gamechanger in the cities. Not so much in rural areas where public transport is problematic.
Sadly many of our railways lines were shut in the 1950s and 60s. So you can’t travel to gorgeous scenic areas like South or West Kerry or Donegal by train 🙄
A really short sighted plan.
The lines can’t be reopened apparently and some have been turned into Greenways to attract tourists.

This is a difficult one for me to answer because I am not disabled but I'll try my best.

I have witnessed several people, who are in wheelchairs, use the buses. The drivers are patient and there is a ramp on the vast majority of buses that the drivers will pull out enabling you to board the bus.

The pavements and the roads are in fantastic condition with zero potholes. Most pedestrian crossings have dropped curbs and an audible signal if you press a button at the bottom. They are not automatically audible like in the UK. There is also tactile paving (is that the correct term) for visually impaired people at, I'm pretty sure all crossings.

I think Luxembourg is an amazing place to live. I'm not sure how much longer we are going to be here but I'm advocating for staying a few more years. Only time will tell, and if the offer of another job exceeds what we have here, it will be hard to turn it down. We are economic migrants, and historically have moved every 3 to 5 years. Now the children are getting older, I'm keen to stay a little longer here. But the legal drinking age is 16 here and that just doesn't sit right with me.

I love this 😆We have a Cactus close by, I usually pop in for a couple of bits and bobs but it's so expensive, we could not do our full weekly shop there. I think it would double in price if we did.

Our lives can be so different from one another, I can totally see how someone would find it easier to use their car and another would find it easier on public transport. Would you use it if it was free? It's a different mindset when you don't have to pay for something, especially if money is tight for some families.

Just a small correction. The bikes are not free in Luxembourg. You need a subscription, be it an annual one or one for a day or more. If you purchase the annual subscription, you get the first 30 min for free.
It is also important to point out that 54% of registered cars in Luxembourg do not belong to residents but are company cars. These are often used as incentive to hire cross border employees, are part of a fleet or used to transport MP when EU parliament is in session. Residents will use public transport a lot. These cars have a high turnover and are roughly changed every two years.

Visitors are big users as well. The airport can be reached by bus and tram. Even on public holidays

Apologies, you are correct about the bikes, I forgot about the annual subscription.

I did not know that about the registered cars though. It does sometimes feel like every other car on the road is a Tesla so I had my suspicions company cars were very common. But 54% is high!

Thankyou.

Just in relation to alcohol, what's the drinking culture like? If it's sensible and culturally reasonable (not the street boozing lager lout stuff) it might be a good place to stay?

Public transport in Belgrade is free.

It's worked for many. I got rid of my car as I just wasn't using it. The free transport has been largely efficient, and convenient. I haven't missed having my car yet

Is the transport accessible for wheelchair users?

Many regions did it during and after COVID to ease the financial burden many were facing it happened in my region too. You had to "buy "a card for 10€ and they refunded it if you used it
It worked really well

I love Luxembourg! Been here 6 years.

Visit the city - the palace, the case area (kind of tunnels under the city) and wander around and enjoy the fabulous architecture. It is so pretty. Every visitor I have had stay with me raves about this little gem of a country.

In summer there’s loads on going in with free music in the park, the duke’s massive birthday party in June (I think) where everyone comes for fireworks, DJs, bands. There’s the giant funfair, the Schueberfouer, for the last three weeks of summer.

Outside of the city, there are various castles - Vianden is lovely. Swimming lakes. Outdoor pools too.

And the free transport is fantastic. The bus drivers are pretty rough with their brakes though and we passengers all lurch a bit!

It is expensive though. Most expensive new housing costs in EU. I am not sure how long I will be able to stay. I’d like to do the teaching course at Lux university but my Luxembourgish isn’t up to it really. I got up to the level required to take the passport.