Belgrade Gets Free Public Transport
Public transport will become entirely free of charge in the Serbian capital of Belgrade from the 1st of January 2025.
Free public transport
Belgrade’s mayor, Aleksandar Šapić, made the announcement while outlining his plans for the Serbian capital for 2025.
Mayor Šapić stated that “all public transport in Belgrade will be free”, as part of “a complete package of social measures that have not existed in Belgrade for the last 50 years”.
Belgrade’s mayor added that the current monthly, annual, and discount passes will therefore no longer be needed.
Šapić said: “Belgrade becomes the only city in Europe with more than half a million people that has free transportation.”
Trams and buses in Belgrade. ©AndyBTravels
Other plans
Although many of his plans focused on social issues, including measures such as free nursery school and free access to municipal swimming pools for the city’s residents, Šapić also detailed other transport-related initiatives.
He emphasised that by the end of 2025, the entire fleet of city buses will be modernised, with no vehicle older than two years operating in Belgrade.
The plans should hopefully alleviate Belgrade’s traffic situation, as according to Šapić “Belgrade is the only city of this size that has this many cars, without a metro”.
Belgrade, with a population of approximately 1.7 million in its metropolitan area, is currently constructing a metro network, with the first line expected to open in 2028.
Belgrade tram crossing a bridge over the River Sava. ©AndyBTravels
Other places with free public transport
Belgrade isn’t the only place in Europe to offer free public transport for everyone, as Luxembourg has already made all buses, trams, and trains free for its approximately 670,000 inhabitants, as well as foreign visitors.
Public transport has been free in Luxembourg since 29th February 2020.
Free public transport: A good or bad idea?
Just like any political issue, the idea of free public transport has both proponents and opponents.
Proponents say free public transport will reduce car usage and alleviate traffic, thereby decreasing air pollution and lowering carbon emissions, while opponents argue that there is no such thing as “free” and someone will ultimately have to foot the bill — public money that could perhaps be better spent elsewhere.
From the perspective of an international rail traveller, it is of course nice to transit Belgrade for free without having to figure out ticketing, although ultimately, it is an issue that should be decided only by the tax-paying voters of the Serbian capital.
Beograd Centar, the main railway station in Belgrade. ©AndyBTravels
Conclusion
Public transport in the Serbian capital of Belgrade will be completely free from the 1st of January 2025.
You will therefore be able to take any bus, trolleybus, or tram in Belgrade for free.
Do you think Belgrade’s initiative of free public transport is something other cities should copy as well? Do leave a comment!
