# Cost-Free Transit Initiatives Germany is Making Public Transit Free to Meet New Pollution Targets By Riley von Niessen | Published 2018-02-17 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/costfree-transit References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2018/02/16/germany-free-public-transport-cut-pollution-emissions-bonn-essen-herrenberg-reutlingen-mannheim/) & [theguardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/14/german-cities-to-trial-free-public-transport-to-cut-pollution) In five major German cities, Bonn, Essen, Herrenberg, Reutlingen and Mannheim, [cost-free public transit](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/year-of-free-transportation) will become available by the end of the year. With this initiative, German government officials hope to decrease the amount of pollution, and meet the new targets that were recently set out by the [European Union](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/european-travel) after it was reported that it could face legal action if it did not reduce its toxic air pollution. By offering cost-free transit, officials hope to increase the number of riders, which will lead to fewer private vehicles on the roads. As [Dezeen](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-tram) reports, the letter written by German ministers also states that the country would likely be "implementing low-emission zones," and will consider ways to create an incentive for the ownership of electric vehicles. Image Credit: Dezeen ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 49% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Cost-free Transit:** Promoting cost-free public transit as a way to reduce pollution and increase ridership. - **Low-emission Zones:** Implementing low-emission zones to further reduce air pollution and encourage the use of electric vehicles. - **Incentives for Electric Vehicles:** Creating incentives for the ownership of electric vehicles to accelerate the transition to cleaner transportation. ### Who This Affects Most - **Transportation:** The transportation industry can explore innovative models to offer cost-free transit and incorporate low-emission zones. - **Automotive:** The automotive industry can focus on the development and marketing of electric vehicles in response to the push for cleaner transportation. - **Environmental Services:** Environmental services can play a role in supporting the implementation of low-emission zones and providing solutions to reduce pollution. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Electric Public Transport Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-public-transport-network.md) - [Delhi-Based Electric Buses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/delhi.md) - [Beer-Branded Complimentary Public Transportations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/complimentary-public-transportation.md) - [Innovative Electric Trams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-tram.md) - [Free E-Bike Sharing Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electro-bici.md) - [Belize-Based Sustainable Transportation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eride-taxi.md) - [E-Bike-Booking Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-now.md) - [Electric Transportation Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-transportation-concept.md) - [Groundbreaking Public Transit Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vertically-integrated-smart-transit-system.md)