Sustainable transport

Turkey's two largest cities, Istanbul and Ankara, which yesterday came out from a 48-hour lockdown along with 29 other provinces, started the week with new measures for public transport aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

All license plates that had been removed from vehicles - regardless of infringement - are being returned by the Thessaloniki Municipal Police, due to the complications created by the coronavirus outbreak.

Authorities said the measure is being implemented in order to prevent overcrowding on public transport but also to facilitate any necessary transport movements.

Luxembourg becomes the first country in the world where public transport will be free of charge. The measure enters into force on March 1 and aims to encourage people to give up their cars. The use of buses, trams and trains will be free of charge.

A tram hit a child in downtown Sofia. The incident happened at the intersection of Graf Ignatiev and 6 September streets at 1.10 pm on Friday, BNR reported.

The crash stopped the tram traffic. Police and emergency teams arrived at the scene

The injured child was taken to a hospital. There is currently no information available on his condition.  

45-year old woman was hit by a public transport bus 83 at the intersection of Krasno Selo, according to the Sofia Interior Directorate, DarikNews reported.

The woman was crossing at a red light. She was immediately taken to Pirogov Hospital.

There is an ambulance and police at the scene. Traffic is blocked, trams are stopped.

The Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) is planning to use 600,000 euros of European Union funding to improve accessibility on the Greek capital's buses and trolley buses.

According to an announcement, the money will be used to equip 190 bus and trolley bus stops with platforms that will allow wheelchair users to board and disembark from the vehicles without assistance.

Automaker Volkswagen is accelerating its move into battery-powered cars, saying it will reach its goal of 1 million electric cars per year two years earlier than planned. Dec. 27's announcement came as European automakers are under pressure to meet lower emissions limits aimed at fighting global warming.

Vienna police have received a report of an incident in a tram at the Margaretengürtel station, the oe24 website reported. According to the information, a 16-year-old Bulgarian citizen threatened a 38-year-old passenger with a sword.

The two passengers were taken off the tram and in the course of the clarification of the facts about 40 cm long sword was seized.

More than 130 bus and trolley-bus services are being canceled each day due to aging fleets and a lack of financial resources, causing further disruption for commuters, according to the latest data. 

Transport authorities intend to ensure that designated lanes for buses and trolley buses in Athens are respected by drivers, as the city's urban transport organization (OASA) plans to reactivate surveillance cameras.