Belgrade Pioneers Innovative Traffic Solutions in Europe
PUBLISHED: 18 Dec 2024 at 21:45
BELGRADE – Starting next month, all public transport in Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, will be free. This forward-thinking initiative aims to alleviate the city’s severe traffic congestion.
“With this change, citizens will no longer need to pay for tickets,” stated the Mayor of Belgrade, marking the city’s significant step in addressing urban transit challenges.
Belgrade, home to nearly 1.7 million residents, has witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of vehicles on its roads, with an additional 250,000 cars over the last decade.
Notably, Belgrade is one of the few major European capitals lacking an underground metro system, with hopes for a metro project scheduled for completion by 2030, although progress has been delayed.
The Mayor committed to upgrading the entire fleet of buses, trams, and trolley buses by 2027 to enhance public transportation quality.
Recently, the decision to demolish a significant World War II-era bridge sparked substantial public protests, as many believe it could worsen the city’s traffic issues.
This latest initiative reflects a series of social programs by Belgrade’s municipal government, which has also made kindergartens free and provided financial assistance to local students over the past year.
