After months of hype, Luxembourg’s free public transport has begun.

On March 1, Luxembourg made the switch to let residents ride buses, trams and trains for free. And no one needs a ticket to ride. The aim of this switch was to cut down on traffic congestion, as the country suffered from major traffic jams.

However, another important benefit of this move is that if public transportation is free, people will be less inclined to use their cars. If someone can get from point A to point B for free then, of course, they are going to take the option that is free. Less vehicles on the road means air pollution will be cut down.

With a population of only 614,000, Luxembourg may be one of Europe’s smallest countries, being comparable in size to Rhode Island, and the idea of free transportation is not unprecedented. However, the fact the country has taken this leap most certainly is a big deal, as it is a clear indication that they are serious about trying to do what they can with climate change.

More countries should follow in Luxembourg’s steps, including the United States.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “carbon pollution from burning fossil fuels is rapidly changing the earth’s climate. The transportation sector is one of the largest sources of carbon pollution in the U.S..”

This could be easily cut by making public transportation free, since a large amount of Americans would likely take the bus if it meant they did not have to pay for gas.

The United States has taken steps to cut down on air pollution with the Clean Air Act and the removal of lead from gasoline, but the Environmental Protection Agency says, “many places in the United States still have poor local air quality and there is more to be done.”

Another country that could benefit from making public transportation free is England. In England, a train ticket from London to Manchester costs £75 ($96), this compared to the cost of fuel for the same trip £30 ($40), means that most people are going to chose to drive as it costs almost half the price. One of the big talks in the recent general election was the cost of public transport, and with the conservatives staying in power the chances of the prices dropping are small.

If we are serious about fighting climate change then it is essential that governments seriously consider taking a leaf out of Luxembourg’s book and make public transport free. The benefits would be more noticeable in the bigger cities such as London and Manchester.

Luxembourg is one of the richest countries in Europe, which may explain why there are able to afford to have free public transportation. This makes it harder for countries with lower economies to follow suit and also make transportation free. Therefore the switch to free, or at least cheaper public transportation, may have to be a gradual one but it is still one all countries should consider in order to better our planet’s climate.