Luxembourg is set to become the first country in the world to make all its public transport free.

Fares on trains, trams and buses will be lifted next summer under the plans of the re-elected coalition government led by Xavier Bettel, who was sworn in for a second term as prime minister on Wednesday.

Bettel, whose Democratic party will form a government with the left wing Socialist Workers’ party and the Greens, had vowed to prioritise the environment during the recent election campaign.

On top of the transport pledge, the new government is also considering legalising cannabis, and introducing two new public holidays.

Progressive attitude

Luxembourg City, the capital of the small Grand Duchy, suffers from some of the worst traffic congestion in the world. It is home to about 110,000 people, but a further 400,000 commute into the city to work.

A study suggested that drivers in the capital spent an average of 33 hours in traffic jams in 2016. While the country as a whole has 600,000 inhabitants, nearly 200,000 people living in France, Belgium and Germany cross the border every day to work in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg has increasingly shown a progressive attitude to transport. This summer, the government brought in free transport for every child and young person under the age of 20.

Secondary school students can use free shuttles between their institution and their home. Commuters need only pay €2 for up to two hours of travel, which in a country of just 2,590 sq km (999 sq miles) covers almost all journeys.

Now, from the start of 2020 all tickets will be abolished, saving on the collection of fares and the policing of ticket purchases. The policy is yet to be fully thought through, however.

A decision has yet to be taken on what to do about first- and second-class compartments on trains. Bettel only just scraped back into government in the recent election. Opinion polls before October’s poll had indicated that the Christian Social People’s party (CSV) – led for 19 years by the European commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker – would end Bettel’s five years as prime minister.

The CSV, however, lost seats, while the Greens gained three seats. The result gave the coalition 31 seats in the 60-seat chamber. The policy of the new government that has caused the most debate, however, has been that of legalising the purchase, possession and consumption of cannabis for recreational use.

– Guardian</s>Luxembourg is set to become the first country in the world to make all its public transport free.

The plans, introduced by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel’s coalition government, will see trains, trams and buses run free of charge from next summer.

Traffic congestion is a major problem in Luxembourg, which receives approximately 170,000 cross-border commuters from neighbouring France, Belgium and Germany on a daily basis.

Although home to around 110, 000 people, the capital witnesses 400,000 commuters coming to the city to work. A recent study cited by The Guardian showed that drivers in the capital spent an average of 33 hours in traffic snarl-ups in 2016.

Luxembourg has previously shown it has a forward-looking attitude towards transport — over the summer, the government introduced free transport for young people under the age of 20.

Secondary school students are also provided free shuttle services between their places of study and homes.</s>Luxembourg is going to become the first country in the world to make all public transport free.

Train, tram and bus fare will be lifted next summer according to the plans of the recently re-elected government.

Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, who was sworn in on Wednesday for his second term, had vowed to prioritise the environment. The government is also considering legalizing cannabis.

Traffic in Luxembourg City is among the worst in the world. The city is only home to around 110,000 people but another 400,000 commute into the city every day for work.

The country has a population of 600,000 and nearly 200,000 people living in France, Belgium and Germany cross the border every day to work in the country.

The policy is yet to be fully thought through, however. A decision has yet to be taken on what to do about first- and second-class compartments on trains.</s>Luxembourg is to become the first country in the world to make all public transportation free. All fares for trains, trams and buses will be scrapped by summer 2019 as part of a new environmental initiative, Xavier Bettel, the prime minister, has announced.

Luxembourg City, the capital, suffers from some of the worst traffic congestion in the world, with one study showing that drivers spent an average of 33 hours in traffic jams in 2016.

Despite its tiny population of 110,000 people, some 400,000 - including those from the bordering countries of France, Belgium and Germany - commute to the capital city for work.

Mr Bettel was sworn in for a second term on Wednesday, having promised during his election campaign to prioritise environmental issues.

Mr Bettel will also consider introducing two new public holidays and legalising cannabis for recreational purposes.

The Grand Duchy is the European Union's wealthiest but second smallest member state, with a population of approximately 600,000.

Annually, the national public transport system costs around €1 billion (£890 million) to run. The new coalition government has promised to invest more in public services.

The plan will ease road network constraint as well as save money on fare collection and ticket inspection, but there still remain some issues to resolve before people can start travelling for free.</s>Luxembourg is set make all of its public transport free in a world first, it has emerged.

Trains, tram and bus fares will all be lifted from 2020 in the 999 sq mile European nation, under ambitious government proposals.

The plan is part of a fresh environmental drive under the administration of Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel after his liberal-led coalition secured a narrow victory in an election in October.

Policies also include further investment in public services, introducing two new public holidays and legalising recreational use of cannabis.

The country's capital Luxembourg City, suffers from chronic traffic congestion despite being home to just 110,000.

Some 400,000 commuters flock to the city for work while 200,000 from neighbouring cross the border France, Germany and Belgium every day.

The free fares plan is the latest step in encouraging citizens to use public transport.

There is already free transport for under 20s while secondary school students can use free shuttles between schools and their homes.

Currently, commuters pay just £1.78 for two hours of travel - but even this low fare will be scrapped under the plan.

The finer details of the proposal are still to be determined - including what to do about first and second-class carriages on trains.

Bettel was sworn in for a second term on Wednesday.

The foreign policy of the European Union's wealthiest but second smallest state is unlikely to change much, with Jean Asselborn keeping his post as foreign minister while Pierre Gramegna remains finance minister in the new administration.

Bettel's Democratic Party, the Socialist Workers Party (LSAP) and the Greens, who have together ruled the Grand Duchy since 2013 signed a new accord until 2023 on Monday and settled ministerial posts on Tuesday.

The Christian Social People's Party (CSV) - which was led for 19 years by EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker - remained the largest party in parliament, but lost seats, as did the LSAP and the Democratic Party.

However, because the Greens gained, the three parties in government have 31 seats in the 60-seat chamber.</s>Luxembourg is set to become the first country in the world to make all of its public transport free of charge.

From next summer, fares on trains, trams and buses will be scrapped under plans by recently re-elected prime minister Xavier Bettel, who vowed to make the environment a key part of his campaign.

Fares are currently capped at two euros for two hours of travel, which in a small European nation of just 999 sq miles (2,590 sq km) covers most journeys.

However, even this low fare will end under the plans that will be paid for in part by removing a tax break for commuters.

The country has a population of nearly 600,000 - but its capital, Luxembourg City, has some of the worst traffic congestion on the planet.

Around 110,000 people live there but another 400,000 commute in for work every day, while nearly 200,000 cross the border from neighbouring France, Belgium and Germany.

Drivers spent an average of 33 hours in traffic jams in 2016, according to a study.

The country already has shown its green credentials.

Over the summer, free transport was introduced for every child and young person under the age of 20.

And secondary school students are provided with free shuttles between their places of study and their home.

Mr Bettel's Democratic party is to form a government with the left-wing Socialist Workers' party and the Greens after he secured a narrow victory in October.

The new administration is also considering introducing two new public holidays and legalising cannabis - the latter policy has caused much debate in the country.</s>Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel was sworn in for a second term on Wednesday after his liberal-led coalition secured a narrow victory in an election in October.

LUXEMBOURG: Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel was sworn in for a second term on Wednesday after his liberal-led coalition secured a narrow victory in an election in October.

Bettel's government plans a stronger environmental drive, with some free public transport from 2020, to invest more in public services and to legalise recreational use of cannabis.

The foreign policy of the European Union's wealthiest but second smallest state is unlikely to change much, with Jean Asselborn keeping his post as foreign minister while Pierre Gramegna remains finance minister in the new administration.

Bettel's Democratic Party, the Socialist Workers Party (LSAP) and the Greens, who have together ruled the Grand Duchy since 2013 signed a new accord until 2023 on Monday and settled ministerial posts on Tuesday.

The Christian Social People's Party (CSV) - which was led for 19 years by EU chief executive Jean-Claude Juncker - remained the largest party in parliament, but lost seats, as did the LSAP and the Democratic Party.

However, because the Greens gained, the three parties in government have 31 seats in the 60-seat chamber.</s>The small European country will lift fares for trains, trams and buses from next summer, under the ambitious new proposals by Xavier Bettel’s administration. The recently elected Prime Minister has pledged to prioritise environmental issues in his liberal-led coalition with the Socialist Workers’ party and the Greens. Mr Bettel has also promised to legalise cannabis, introduce two new public holidays and increase investment in public services.

The proposal aims to reduce traffic congestion, as despite being a country of just 999 square miles, Luxembourg City suffers from some of the worst traffic congestion in the world.

The City is home to just 110,000 people, but it becomes inundated with a further 400,000 commuters, with half of travelling from neighbouring countries France, Germany and Belgium.

A study suggested that drivers in the capital spent an average of 33 hours in traffic jams in 2016. The introduction of free public transport is hoped to reduce this, by encouraging a shift away from commuting in private in private cars.

A free shuttle service is provided for secondary school students between their homes and school and earlier this year free transport was introduced for under 20s.</s>Luxembourg is set to become the first country to abolish all public transport fares.

The Grand Duchy’s new coalition government has pledged to scrap tickets on all trains, buses and trams – a move which should come into effect by the summer of 2019.

Luxembourg has long taken a progressive approach to public transport. As it stands fares are capped at €2 for up to two hours of travel – for a country the size of Oxfordshire, this covers just about every journey. It’s an extra €1 to upgrade to first class, while an all-day second-class transport ticket on any form of transport costs €4.

As of this summer, anyone under the age of 20 can travel free in Luxembourg, while an annual “mPass” for commuters...</s>Next summer, commuters in the tiny European country of Luxembourg may be able to use buses, trams and trains for free.

The newly re-elected coalition government led by Xavier Bettel plans to waive fares and make the country the first in the world to offer free public transport, the reports. The move is aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and furthering Bettel’s campaign vow of being environment-friendly.

Sandwiched between France, Belgium and Germany, from which almost 200,000 people enter it daily to work, the reports. That’s a lot of people, many with their own cars, in a very small space. For perspective, the country can be driven across in a little over an hour. Luxembourg city has some of the world’s worst traffic congestion, according to the .

The move is in keeping with Luxembourg’s new transport initiatives. Earlier this year, a new initiative allowed people under 20 years to travel for free and commuters to only pay €2 (about $2) for up to two hours of travel, which covers most of the tiny country.

There are a few issues to be sorted out before fares are abolished, such as what to do about first- and second-class train compartments.
Xavier Bettel is sworn in for a second term as Prime Minister. His coalition government plans to make all public transport completely free by next summer, a world's first.