May 10, 2018 Plans for a free public transport in Tübingen, Germany Boris Palmer, Mayor of Tübingen

Tübingen is a university town in southwest Germany. Plans for a free public transport in Tübingen, Germany Tübingen is a university town in southwest Germany. 87.000 inhabitants 30 % students 12.500 employees at university, hospital and city departments May 10, 2018

Public transport system of Tübingen Plans for a free public transport in Tübingen, Germany Public transport system of Tübingen 20 million rides a year 38 bus lines daily night busses 380 bus stops 67 busses 80 % of the residents with less than 5 min to the next bus stop. May 10, 2018

Plans for a free public transport in Tübingen, Germany For seven years local authorities have been trying to provide fare-free public transport. 2011 first ideas about introducing free public transport Several discussions in city council on financial and legal framework 2015 Open Workshop with 50 interested participants (politicians, residents, etc.) Assessment and comparison of different models 2017 Memo on free public transport finished! May 10, 2018

Model 1: Everything is for free Plans for a free public transport in Tübingen, Germany Model 1: Everything is for free Free public transport for all passengers within the city: Estimated 6.6 million additional passengers (+ 30 %) + 14 busses needed during peak hours Positive effects: off-peak intervals on all bus lines + 30 % 8.4 million € loss of revenue + 6.1 million € operating costs = 14,5 million € May 10, 2018

Model 1: Free public transport flat for all residents 15 € per month. Plans for a free public transport in Tübingen, Germany Model 1: Free public transport flat for all residents 15 € per month. We could finance all-free public transport if every resident of Tübingen would pay 15 € a month. At present, monthly tickets are 50,40 € for an adult, and 36,30 € for students. 15 € month / person May 10, 2018

Model 2: Tariffs 50 %, Free transport at night and on weekends Plans for a free public transport in Tübingen, Germany Model 2: Tariffs 50 %, Free transport at night and on weekends Tariffs reduced by 50 %, free transport at night and on weekends, free rides for persons with low income: Estimated + 12 % additional passengers + 5 busses needed during weekends and holidays Operating performance + 10 % 3.9 million € loss of revenue + 2.0 million € operating costs = 5.9 million € May 10, 2018

Plans for a free public transport in Tübingen, Germany Next steps City council plans to survey all citizens during federal elections in Sep 2019 on preferred model their willingness to financial contributions. Financial issues: Public charges are preferred. This requires a change in state law! Alternative: mix of financial instruments (1) Regrouping capital budget (5 million €) (2) Raise real estate tax and local business tax (9,5 million €). May 10, 2018

Ongoing pilot project: Free rides on Saturdays Plans for a free public transport in Tübingen, Germany Ongoing pilot project: Free rides on Saturdays Ticketless travel for all passengers in the city on almost all bus and train lines on Saturdays From city funds Triggered by renovation of a parking garage in city center Duration: Feb 2018 - end of 2019 First evaluation after six months. „Free rides on Saturdays with TüBus“ May 10, 2018

Plans for a free public transport in Tübingen, Germany Other Activities Germany struggles to meet EU air pollution targets and faces legal action because of air quality problems in cities. German authorities started several initiatives. Tübingen applied as a model city for testing measures for sustainable public transport. May 10, 2018

Thank you! Plans for a free public transport in Tübingen, Germany May 10, 2018