Bucharest and Bălţi plan free public transport schemes

The Bucharest City Hall is analysing a proposal to make public transport free for residents. Officials note that fare revenue currently covers only about 16‑19% of the system’s costs and warn that full free service would require substantial municipal funding and could strain the budget. Critics argue the measure may be financially unfeasible in the current economic climate, while supporters cite equity and environmental benefits, referencing examples such as Tallinn and Luxembourg.

In Bălţi, Moldova, Mayor Alexandr Petkov announced a pilot program offering free rides on all public‑transport vehicles every Wednesday starting in September. The initiative, called “Miercurea verde”, will expand to fully free municipal transport from 1 January 2027. Petkov says the goal is to make public transport more attractive, reduce car traffic and lower pollution, with costs to be covered entirely by the city budget.