Free Public Transport in Tallinn from a brave step toward green capital Tallinn EU Office Rue du Luxembourg 3, Brussels

Tallinn Public Transport (PT) in figures  Tallinn population , growing  Estonia, population 1, , decreasing 2 municipal transport companies Number of buses, trams, trolley-buses: 570 Bus lines: 55 Tram lines: 4 Trolley-bus lines: 8  In 2011 PT budget 53 million EUR Total tickets revenue 17,8 million EUR; 3,5 million from non-Tallinners.  Free ride for Tallinners costs 14,3 million EUR annually.

Possible sources for funding o Merger of two municipal public transport companies buses+trams&trolley buses - Saving up to 10 million EUR. o New residents - Those living and/or working in Tallinn, will have another strong motivation to register the place of living, thus increasing personal income tax. Exact size of the gains is still hard to prognose. o From water/sewage investments - In 2013 installments to water company for water and sewage system are decrasing sharply, releasing ca 8 million EUR annually. o Car drivers - Widening the paid parking area, raising tariffs.

In campaign Pro arguments + Social aspects: providing mobility to unemployed, low income residents (no direct vocal critisism about that target, retail sector expects more customers) + Green aspects: modal shift from cars to PT, cleaner air, less noise (everybody agrees) + Fiscal aspects: strong motivation to register place of residence, thus of increasing income tax; due to decreasing traffic the need for street repair may decrease

And more Pro arguments + Makes the City more visible for tourists as the first capital and the city of that size in EU with free PT. +The idea of European Green Capital was born in Tallinn in 2006, we are looking forward. + Plebiscite informs and involves for decision-making most of the community, thus locking the free PT decision politically - power shift in Council can not change it easily.

Contra - Plebiscite unnecessary, too expensive, non- representative -Free PT is lowering the quality of service: less and older buses, longer intervals, increasing vandalism, homeless hords settling in the PT -PT will be more overcrowded Current PT users may shift to cars Current cyclers may shift to PT -Free ride will be provided at the expense of other municipal spendings – kindergarten´s, schools, roads. -Car-users have to pay for free ride in PT!

Challenges Need for expanding:  exclusive bus lanes  larger bus stops  light traffic roads  park&ride system  redesigning and better integrating the lines and schedules for all modes of public transport New contactless card provides exact data about usage; inspires and enables technically the neighboring municipalities to expand free ride in the county. To push national government further to develop public transport - If Tallinn can provide PT for free, other residents of the country will expect the same from their municipalities and national government.

Plebiscite on free PT March, 2012 Since 2002 the 6th local plebiscite on different issues  40 polling stations in municipal offices, supermarkets, also few mobile stations in buses and tram  Participation ca 20%, i.e out of eligible residents voted The result: Yes -75,5%, No - 24,5% Vox Populi, Vox Dei ! Tallinn starts free PT 01 January