Transport is an inevitable cost of travelling around other countries.
And the cost of getting around can be off-putting. But in one European country tourists and locals can use buses, trains and trams at no cost.
Luxembourg, which is the seventh smallest country in Europe, is not that well known as a tourist destination, but it can be found between Belgium, France and Germany.
And in February 2020, the country made public transport completely free contrasting with rising fares in the UK.
The Express reports that only exception to the rule is first class travel which still has to be paid for. And passengers do need to carry a form of identification to show.
(
Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Tourists can travel all over the country, including to rural areas and border towns, on the free network.
Luxembourg’s free transport scheme is funded from tax revenues. François Bausch, the country’s deputy prime minister, said: “There is greater equity in this because those who pay little tax pay nothing or very little in this system, it’s really free. And those who pay more tax, obviously, they have a price that is perhaps a little higher.”
One of the reasons for the scheme was to reduce dependence on cars. In 2020, Luxembourg had the EU’s highest car density with 696 vehicles per 1,000 people compared to an average of 560.
As a result it had a huge traffic problem. Luxembourg has some of Europe’s cheapest petrol, making driving an attractive option for its residents.
The cheap petrol means “‘fuel tourists” even cross the border to fill up their car, creating congestion on Luxembourg’s main roads.
Despite the free travel, Luxembourg is still having an issue persuading its residents to usethe train or bus over their car.
Bloomberg reported congestion on Luxembourg’s roads in May 2022 was largely equal to or higher than in May 2019, before the free scheme started.
Part of the problem is that almost 50 percent of Luxembourg’s workforce lives outside the country due to high housing costs. These workers would still have to pay for part of their journey if they used public transport.
But for tourists, the free travel means there’s no need to spend money on car rental in the small country.
Among its top attractions are Vianden Castle and the historic walking area at Le Chemin de la Corniche.
Nature lovers can take a hike along the Mullerthal Trail or visit the Jardin Des Papillons to admire the colourful butterflies.
This year Luxembourg was the planet’s most affluent country. With a GDP per capita of $143,743 (around £109,000). It is nearly twice as wealthy as the UK, which has a current GDP-PPP per capita of £58,880.
The tiny nation, with a a population of just over 650,000, has seen a significant increase in wealth, driven by its booming financial services sector and cutting-edge technological advancements.
This post was originally published on here
