Tallinn residents catching the bus for free ...
Source: Agencies |
April 5, 2013, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
LOOKING for a free ride? Go to live in Tallinn.
Estonia's capital became the world's first to introduce free public transport for all its residents. All that's required is a transit pass showing you're a registered Tallinner - and the city's buses, streetcars and trams are yours for free.
"I live on a tight budget since I don't have too much work right now," said Mare Tulp, who recently registered as a Tallinn resident. "I need to save money wherever I can, so I'm very happy with the free public transit scheme. This is a good thing for the common person."
Three months after launching the initiative, city officials are hailing the experiment as a success, though skeptics call it an expensive, populist trick ahead of local elections.
The free-ride scheme is the brainchild of Mayor Edgar Savisaar, who wants to reduce congestion and pollution while helping the city's poor.
Savisaar has even dubbed the program the "13th monthly salary" since, he claims, families will be able to save a month's salary now that they can get around Tallinn for free.
Vice Mayor Taavi Aas says the experiment, which will cost the city some 12 million euros (US$16 million) a year in lost ticket sales, has surpassed expectations. Passenger numbers are up 10 percent, while the number of cars on city streets has fallen by up to 15 percent.
An opinion poll showed nine out of 10 residents satisfied with the project.
"People now move around the city more frequently during weekends," Aas said. "This means they also spend more money, which boosts the economy."
City officials say it's too early to tell how much the city's economy has been stimulated. But the program is expected to boost tax revenue because the registration requirement is winning the city more taxable residents.
According to city calculations, some 40,000 people living and working in Tallinn are registered in other cities and towns. But more than 5,000 new Tallinn residents have been registered since January 1, compared with 3,600 residency registrations during all of last year.
With 1,000 new residents equaling an estimated 1 million euros in city tax revenue, the current registration rate would offset the program's costs this year, Aas said.
But the scheme has its critics.
Andrea Green, a taxi company manager, said the free transport was undermining entrepreneurship and risked taking jobs from cab drivers.
Estonia's capital became the world's first to introduce free public transport for all its residents. All that's required is a transit pass showing you're a registered Tallinner - and the city's buses, streetcars and trams are yours for free.
"I live on a tight budget since I don't have too much work right now," said Mare Tulp, who recently registered as a Tallinn resident. "I need to save money wherever I can, so I'm very happy with the free public transit scheme. This is a good thing for the common person."
Three months after launching the initiative, city officials are hailing the experiment as a success, though skeptics call it an expensive, populist trick ahead of local elections.
The free-ride scheme is the brainchild of Mayor Edgar Savisaar, who wants to reduce congestion and pollution while helping the city's poor.
Savisaar has even dubbed the program the "13th monthly salary" since, he claims, families will be able to save a month's salary now that they can get around Tallinn for free.
Vice Mayor Taavi Aas says the experiment, which will cost the city some 12 million euros (US$16 million) a year in lost ticket sales, has surpassed expectations. Passenger numbers are up 10 percent, while the number of cars on city streets has fallen by up to 15 percent.
An opinion poll showed nine out of 10 residents satisfied with the project.
"People now move around the city more frequently during weekends," Aas said. "This means they also spend more money, which boosts the economy."
City officials say it's too early to tell how much the city's economy has been stimulated. But the program is expected to boost tax revenue because the registration requirement is winning the city more taxable residents.
According to city calculations, some 40,000 people living and working in Tallinn are registered in other cities and towns. But more than 5,000 new Tallinn residents have been registered since January 1, compared with 3,600 residency registrations during all of last year.
With 1,000 new residents equaling an estimated 1 million euros in city tax revenue, the current registration rate would offset the program's costs this year, Aas said.
But the scheme has its critics.
Andrea Green, a taxi company manager, said the free transport was undermining entrepreneurship and risked taking jobs from cab drivers.
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