German cities set to offer free public transportation in a bid to cut air pollution

Germany is considering offering free public transport to people living in cities suffering poor air quality as part of a drive to reduce pollution.

The measure is just one of a series - including incentives to switch to electric cars and the introduction of low-emission zones - recommended in a letter sent from German ministers to EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella.

Germany has been under pressure from the European Commission, which in January promised to get tough on air quality and threatened to penalize members that breached EU rules on pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and particulate matter.

German authorities face legal action because of air quality problems in cities.