With more people moving to cities and more people getting cars, cities around the world are confronted with exponential traffic and pollution. The promotion and implementation of more sustainable modes of transport are pressing issues that policy-makers and municipalities must address. How can they possibly counter the independence that comes with having a car? From January 2013, Tallinn will be the first European capital to offer free public transport to its citizens. According to The Baltic Times (August 23, 2012), with the new ticketing system the City of Tallinn will lose approximately 14 million euros in uncollected ticket revenues in 2013. But then the current system of ticket sales is seen as overpriced anyhow and wasteful for the environment.
Street network in Tallinn: 2,012 km Roadways: 1,014km Sidewalks: 923 km Bicycle paths: 210 km Source: Municipal Engineering Services Department
40 Old Town of Tallinn. Source: Jaak Kadak