Thread: Free Public Transport in Tallinn - good idea or crazy?

(since the Politics forum is about "Russia and other countries of the former USSR")

Tallinn is actually the geographically closest foreign capital to where I currently live (Stockholm). I read an interesting story about it in the paper this morning.

There was recently a referendum in which the people of Tallinn voted to make public transport free. 3/4 voted in favour of this.

There is no metro there, but they have buses, trams and trolleybuses.

Tourists are supposed to pay, it's only free for locals. But in theory, how would they know who is a tourist if you are just sitting on the tram?

But the paper that carried the story had interviewed people about the outcome of the election. None of those interviewed thought it was very good. They said it was bound to fail within a year. I hope not! Free public transport is good! The paper suggested that it was mostly the Russian-speaking inhabitants in Tallinn who voted in favour of the suggestion. But they are hardly 3/4 of the inhabitants of Tallinn. And I don't see how language would have anything to do with opinion about something like this.

The change starts from Jan 2013. Public transport is already quite cheap there.
What do you think, would something like this work? Would you support it in your city?

In Stockholm, there is a large public movement that THINKS that public transport should be free. They are putting stickers everywhere and are encouraging people to take action because public transport on principle ought not to cost anything.
Here is one of their many "educational videos" on how to travel for free on the metro. Someone I know is a member and never pays on the metro on principle. A few times he borrowed my card.

Are people like this immoral or cool?



In London, one person was KILLED by police after jumping a tube gate. Several people have been severely beaten up.

Originally Posted by Hanna

Tourists are supposed to pay, it's only free for locals. But in theory, how would they know who is a tourist if you are just sitting on the tram?

The one who doesn't speak Es-t-t-o-o-nian doesn't qualify, just kidding
I think it can easily be done by giving locals special passes

The issue with free public transport is not only the expense, but the potential for overcrowding on the network due to a massive influx of passengers attracted by the absence of fares. I don't know how serious this danger is in the case of Tallinn.