In a groundbreaking move, French commuters living in municipalities bordering Luxembourg will now enjoy the same free public transport benefits as their counterparts within the Grand Duchy. This pilot scheme, set to commence soon, aims to not only alleviate financial burdens on commuters but also contribute to a greener, more sustainable transportation system. Luxembourg, renowned for being the only country globally to provide free public transport, is now extending its reach to French residents in neighboring towns. During peak hours in the morning and evening, the service will cater to thousands of commuters who reside in France and work in Luxembourg. Currently, French commuters can only take advantage of Luxembourg’s complimentary transport once they cross the border, necessitating a switch to paid transport upon returning home. To address this inconvenience, six French communities near the Luxembourg border have devised an innovative workaround. They have joined forces to offer a free shuttle service for workers commuting to Luxembourg. Initially, the pilot scheme will run for a six-month period, providing multiple advantages beyond commuter convenience. It is also anticipated to reduce traffic congestion on the roadway connecting the two nations, leading to positive environmental impacts. Roland Balcerzak, mayor of the French region of Hettange-Grande, one of the municipalities involved in the initiative, emphasized the pressing need for modernization in the transportation network. “Road traffic has increased tenfold while the road network has not been modernized,” he stated in an interview with Luxtimes, an online newspaper. The joint effort behind this project stems from a community known as Communauté de Communes de Cattenom et Environs, encompassing six municipalities. They have estimated the scheme’s cost to be approximately €730,000. The free French-side shuttle will collect commuters from the designated six areas and drop them off in Mondorff, situated right on the border. Commuters will then need to cross the border on foot, arriving at Mondorf-les-Bains in Luxembourg. From there, they can utilize the Grand Duchy’s complimentary network to reach their final destinations. Over 120,000 French workers commute to Luxembourg daily, highlighting the significance of this initiative. However, there have been ongoing criticisms regarding the inadequacy of transportation links between the two countries. This scheme represents the first step in a series of planned improvements aimed at addressing these concerns. Last year, the governments of France and Luxembourg agreed to enhance train services, increasing the frequency to every 10 minutes between the French city of Metz and Luxembourg City by 2030. Additionally, there are proposals to extend Luxembourg City’s tram service to reach the French border. This commuter scheme is likely to be welcomed by many. While Luxembourg holds the distinction of being the first European nation to introduce free public transport for both commuters and foreign visitors, it has yet to persuade people to abandon their cars. Herwig Schuster, transport expert for Greenpeace’s Mobility for All campaign, voiced his opinion last year, expressing that the initiative was too limited. “People typically go from Germany to Luxembourg, from Belgium to Luxembourg and still use the car because it’s not really helpful if they don’t pay for the Luxembourg section,” he remarked. With over 200,000 people commuting into and out of Luxembourg, they still need to purchase tickets in neighboring countries. However, the French venture is expected to alleviate this issue going forward.
French Commuters to Enjoy Free Public Transport in Luxembourg
