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

2. 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.
inhabitants
30 % students
employees at university, hospital and city departments
May 10, 2018

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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 million € operating costs = 14,5 million €
May 10, 2018

6. 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

7. 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 million € operating costs = 5.9 million €
May 10, 2018

8. 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

9. 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 end of 2019
First evaluation after six months.
„Free rides on Saturdays with TüBus“
May 10, 2018

10. 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

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