A Proposal: Free Buses and Trains for Students

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1. 01A Proposal: Free Buses and Trains for Students

   Good evening, members of the city council. I'm here to make a proposal on behalf of the students in our city: let's make buses and trains free for everyone under twenty.

2. 02The Problem

   Here's the problem. For many families, the cost of daily travel adds up quickly. As a result, some students skip after-school activities, or can't reach the library or a part-time job.

3. 03It Has Been Done Before

   This isn't a crazy idea. In 2020, Luxembourg made all public transport free for everyone in the country. Our proposal is much smaller: we're only asking for students.

   Source: Government of Luxembourg, free public transport (2020)

4. 04The Benefits

   The benefits go beyond saving money. Every student gets the same chance to join activities. Parents drive less, so there's less traffic. And young people who get used to public transport are likely to keep using it as adults.

5. 05"But Who Will Pay?"

   I know what you're thinking: who will pay for it? It's a fair question. The city would lose some ticket income. One option is to cover part of it with higher parking fees in the city center, which would also encourage fewer cars.

6. 06"Won't Buses Get Too Crowded?"

   Another concern is crowding. That's why we suggest checking passenger numbers on busy routes and adding buses where they are needed.

7. 07A Realistic First Step

   We're not asking you to change everything at once. We propose a one-year trial. We can measure how many students use it and how traffic changes, and then decide together.

8. 08Conclusion

   To conclude, free transport for students is fair, good for the city, and possible. All we ask is a one-year trial. Thank you for your time, and I'm happy to answer any questions.