«Free transport by decree» versus transformation

In recent years, and the past 18 months, in particular, the idea of freely accessible local public transport has taken root in Germany. Roughly half of the country’s population and more than half of SPD, Green, The Left Party and Pirate Party voters favour the idea of state funding for buses, trams, underground networks and trains, and making public transport available free of charge. These circumstances should encourage us to take new, bolder steps; this article is intended as a contribution towards doing just that. Above all, it aims to contribute to the ‘Plan B debate’, and thus to The Left Party’s discussion about a sustainable future.