Luxembourg to become first country in the world to make all public transport free

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

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

Culled from The Telegraph