The European city that’s making public transport free – but there’s a catch for tourists | Travel News | Travel

A beautiful European city steeped in history is all set to make public transport free for hundreds of thousands of people from January 1. Tourists, however, won’t be able to benefit from this, as public transport in Belgrade will reportedly be free only for residents. 

The city’s mayor, Aleksandar Sapic announced that the move will benefit the population of over one million, reports ekathimerini.com

Belgrade, with a population of approximately 1.7 million, experiences significant traffic congestion, which contributes to its environmental challenges. 

The city’s layout and infrastructure, combined with the high number of vehicles, result in daily bottlenecks on major roads, particularly during peak hours. This not only causes delays for commuters but also exacerbates air pollution by increasing vehicle emissions.

According to Swiss company IQ Air, which monitors air quality globally, Belgrade is ranked among the 10 most polluted cities in the world. The ranking highlights the city’s high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5), a harmful air pollutant often caused by vehicle emissions, industrial activity, and residential heating.  

Other contributing factors may include the use of outdated vehicles, limited green spaces to offset pollution, and climatic conditions that can trap pollutants in the atmosphere.

Announcing the initiative, Mr Sapic said: “This measure makes Belgrade the only European city with a population of over one million to offer public transport free of charge.”

The Belgrade mayor also announced that the city’s entire fleet of buses, trams and trolleys would be upgraded by 2027, adding “no buses will be more than two years old by 2025.”

Estonian capital Talinn, France’s Montpellier, and Luxembourg already offer free public transport, but their populations are under one million.

Known for its rich history, dynamic culture, and lively nightlife, it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, with a history spanning over 7,000 years.

Belgrade has been a cultural and strategic crossroads for centuries, influenced by Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian empires.

Its name means “White City” (from the Slavic words beo, meaning “white,” and grad, meaning “city”).

The city is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, with floating clubs (splavovi) along the rivers and trendy bars in neighbourhoods like Dorćol and Savamala.