A picturesque city in the south of France is taking an important step in public transportation by introducing free travel on trams and buses. This initiative, which starts on Christmas Eve, defines a new stage in the development of urban mobility and becomes part of a large-scale environmental project. Find out more about where and when the fare will be free

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Starting in December 2023, residents and visitors of the town of Montpellier in the south of France will be able to use free public transportation. This is reported by Euronews.

French city to make public transportation free: details

It is noted that the initiative is aimed at reducing emissions, reducing pollution and increasing the availability of public transport for the local population. 

Montpellier will be the first French city to introduce free travel. 

The program is scheduled to be launched before Christmas on December 21.

As you know, Montpellier has been experimenting with free transportation on weekends for several years.  Travel on weekends has been free since September 2020, and in 2021 this opportunity was extended to weekdays for people under the age of 18 and over 65.

The expansion of free travel is part of the city's €150 million environmental project. Montpellier actively supports zero-carbon mobility, including investments in bicycle lanes and the creation of ecological zones.

What other French cities offer free travel?

Free travel is also already in effect in the city of Dunkirk in France, where bus routes became free in 2018. This led to an 85% increase in the number of public transport passengers. 

A total of 39 territories in France already use similar schemes, including the Marseille suburb of Aubagne, the port city of Calais, and the western commune of Nîmes.

Montpellier will become the largest city in France with free public transportation.

Where in Europe can I use free public transportation?

As for other European countries, free public transportation is available in Estonia and Luxembourg. Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, introduced free public transportation back in 2013, and in 2020, Luxembourg became the first country in the world to abolish fares for all public transportation.

More than 50 small cities in Europe have also introduced free travel, citing social equality and environmental ambitions.

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