From Madrid to Delhi, making public transport cheaper improves lives
By Gavin Thomson, Senior Campaign Strategist on Transport & Mobility at Greenpeace International
Around the world, Greenpeace campaigns to bring down the cost of public transport, to let people travel further more sustainably. When we make public transport more affordable, it lets people on lower incomes travel more, access more opportunities for jobs and education.
As Greenpeace launches a new episode of the SystemShift podcast focusing on mobility and cost, it’s a perfect time to look at some of our campaigns and the impact we can have.
Spain
The Spanish Government recently announced an integrated ticket for all public transport modes in 2026. This follows incredible campaigning from Greenpeace Spain and others, highlighting the links between climate, transport, and the cost of living. Demonstrations, media promotion, and a huge online petition.
In Spain, Greenpeace is pointing out that a climate ticket is not just necessary for reducing emissions and living costs, but also the hassle and difficulty of navigating a complex transport system with many operators. An integrated ticket for all public transport modes would promote intermodality and facilitate access to public transport for all.
Germany
The ‘climate ticket’ was first introduced in Germany. However, since its first introduction in 2022, it has increased in price. In January of this year it was increased again to €58/month.
In Germany, Greenpeace has supported the Deutschlandticket, while asking for it to be kept as affordable as possible. These price increases exclude people on lower incomes, and restrict people’s mobility.
Currently, 21% of Germans own a Deutschlandticket. Across all party lines, more than 80% are in favour of its continued existence. Nevertheless, financing is only secured until the end of 2026, as it is renegotiated annually.
A study by MCC Berlin found that, since the ticket was introduced, the number of train journeys over 30 kilometres increased by 30.4%, while the number of kilometres travelled by private car decreased by 7.6%. This avoids billions of dollars in climate costs every year.
While the new German government is still being formed, we will continue campaigning for accessible and affordable public transport for all.
Need to invest in more than ticket subsidies
Around the world, many people have no public transport options at all, at any price. This means pushing people into car ownership, which they might struggle to afford, or limiting people’s opportunities. So we know pushing for ticket integration and more affordability is not enough; we need network expansion with newer and more sustainable vehicles. Greenpeace joined SLOCAT last year to work together for a sustainable future — mobility systems which offer opportunities, not restrictions, while reducing inequalities and emissions.
A climate ticket for India
Greenpeace India has had huge success in campaigning for free bus travel for women. This was first introduced in Delhi in 2019, and has since been introduced in Bangalore in the state of Karnataka. Recent research has shown the huge success of these pink tickets (the name given to the free bus travel pass in Delhi) in opening up opportunities for women. By 2024, the scheme had issued 100 crore pink tickets. But persistent issues with women’s personal safety and security remain.
In the newest season of Greenpeace’s SystemShift podcast, we have a closer look at these overlapping issues in public transport. While the ‘pink tickets’ has had many benefits, it does not address every problem. Affordability needs to go hand-in-hand with safety and accessibility. If you don’t feel safe travelling, it doesn’t matter how cheap it is. Greenpeace will continue to advocate for sustainable transport systems that are affordable, safe and accessible to all.
Greenpeace India is now part of a coalition advocating a single ticket, for use across all public transport modes. A ‘climate ticket’ for India. As the recent report states, “The free bus travel scheme for women operational in multiple states of India have shown how affordable public transport can help in accessing better employment opportunities as well as contribute to the overall economy. If India has to achieve economic growth and development, its public transport needs to be sustainable, efficient and most importantly affordable.”