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Fans of Taylor Swift, known as “Swifties”, who are attending her performances in Sydney this weekend can receive complimentary transportation to and from the event on the New South Wales intercity rail network and all local public transportation.
Zero-cost mobility, whether as appreciated by one-third of a million fans for four nights only or as a broader policy involving the permanent removal of tickets, is a commendable concept.
Four years ago this week, I joined the editors of Europe By Rail, Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries, for a convivial dinner in Luxembourg City. We were there to celebrate the first nation in the world to abolish fares for trains, trams, buses and even an impressive funicular.
Luxembourg has the twin advantages of being very small and, like Taylor Swift, very rich. Elsewhere in the world, free public transport is still a rare event. Sydney’s rival, Melbourne, the southernmost big city in the world, also has probably the best tram system – and rides are free anywhere in the central area.
America, also known as the land of the free, is now becoming known for its free public transportation. The Staten Island ferry in New York offers a complimentary harbor tour, but officials caution against potential scammers attempting to sell tickets.
Autonomous electric shuttles have made their debut in the Lake Nona region of Orlando, Florida. These driverless vehicles offer complimentary transportation within the city and pave the way for a futuristic mode of travel.
The only revamped streetcar in Detroit is occasionally free, according to the schedule, although it is unclear why or when. I happened to be there on a fortunate day. Additionally, I never have to pay for transportation from Logan Airport to downtown Boston. The Silver Line, a fantastic complimentary bus, operates from the terminals through a covert tunnel under the harbor to South Station. The bus enters a zone that is essentially within the paid-fare region, allowing passengers to transfer to the Red Line of the subway without a ticket.
I am fond of taking the complimentary ferries in Amsterdam, which depart from the opposite side of Centraal Station. These ferries leisurely cross the IJ river to reach Amsterdam Noord, an area that has transformed from an industrial zone to a hub of striking street art. In Annecy, a popular vacation destination in the French Alps, free bus services are available during the months of July and August to alleviate congestion on the narrow roads.
In most other parts of Europe, the accepted belief is that one should pay their way. However, during my recent stay in Ireland, I have encountered difficulties in doing so. Upon arriving at Dublin airport on Thursday afternoon, I followed my usual routine of waiting in line for the No 16 bus to the southern side of the city.
I am so used to using a credit card for contactless payments that I only found out at the front of the line that the fare of €2.60 was cash only. My embarrassment was both relieved and increased by the passenger behind me who paid for my fare from her purse. She insisted on “paying it forward” and declined the €5 note I offered.
The following day, well-prepared with a range of euro coins, I embarked on a journey to catch a bus to the northernmost point of the Dublin Coastal Trail: the small fishing town of Skerries. However, I miscalculated my walk and as I neared the bus stop, the double-decker had already departed. Frantically, I ran after the bus for half a mile as it made its way through a series of traffic lights. Eventually, I caught up and hastily boarded, gasping for air. “Please take a seat,” the driver advised before I could even pay with my coins.
Skerries is a scenic joy, as you can hear if you care to listen to Friday’s podcast from the coast. Reluctantly I walked past the harbourside Blue Bar because I had a train to catch: I wanted to reach Malahide, down the coast, in time to see the handsome castle and gardens before they closed.
The beautiful scenery of Skerries in the late afternoon captivated me, causing me to stop and snap some pictures. However, I stayed longer than intended and when I finally looked at the time, I saw that the train heading south was arriving in just 30 seconds and I was still 300 meters away from the platform. It seemed impossible, but a kind motorist must have noticed my predicament and stopped to offer me a ride to the platform. Thanks to their help, I barely made it on time.
As I hurriedly ran from the car, I exclaimed, “You are like an angel!” Miraculously, I reached Malahide in only 14 minutes, just in time to catch the last bit of daylight. In order to spread my unexpected good luck, if you happen to be rushing to catch a train and spot me driving, feel free to signal me over or ask me to cover your bus fare along with mine.
Simon Calder, who is also referred to as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been a travel writer for The Independent since 1994. In his regular opinion piece, he delves into important travel topics and how they may affect you.
The original source is independent.co.uk.
