France follows Germany's lead with affordable, unlimited public transport ticket
The scheme has reduced private car use in Germany.
Following the success of a similar scheme in Germany, France will soon launch a comprehensive rail pass that will cost just 49 euros a month.
Why it matters: Encouraging a shift to public transport is seen as a key tool for overcoming urban congestion, income inequality, air pollution, and climate change.
The flat-rate French ticket will include unlimited travel on regional and intercity trains, and may also include local travel by bus, metro and trams, according to a report by Railway Technology.
The precedent: In May, Germany introduced a 49-euro public transport ticket for unlimited travel on city buses, subways and trams across the nation.
According to this Bloomberg report, the number of train trips of more than 30 kilometres was up by 27.5% in June.
On the other hand, there were almost 100,000 fewer daily car trips on average in June, compared with the same month in 2019.
Yes, but: A separate study by the Technical University of Munich found that only a fifth of new subscribers to the German ticket have so far also reduced their car use.
Nevertheless, Dr. Allister Loder, an author of the study, said: “Initial results show that it has succeeded in raising the reputation of public transport in Germany and initiating steps towards a more sustainable mobility system.”
“Now, the public transport offering urgently needs to be further expanded across the board in order to enable even more people to actually make sensible use of the Deutschlandticket.”
