Geneva’s cantonal parliament passes a bill for free public transport for young people and discounts for seniors and disabled, starting mid-December.

In Geneva, young people up to the age of 24 will be able to use public transport free of charge in future. After two failed attempts, the cantonal parliament passed a bill to this effect on Thursday by 64 votes to 34.

Anyone who is in education, lives in the canton, and does not have a certain minimum income can benefit from free travel. The adopted text also grants senior citizens and recipients of disability benefits a 50% discount on local transport season tickets.

The measure is due to come into force in mid-December when the Geneva public transport company (TPG) changes its timetable. Parliament wants to help the middle class and encourage the use of public transport. The discounts for young people and senior citizens will cost the canton CHF 32 million in the first year.

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