UK city to trial entirely free public transport in 2026

The initiative has been in the works since 2021

The City Council confirmed its new trial for 2026, and 1,000 locals are set to be selected to participate in the trial.

They will receive free travel on buses, trains, and the subway.

The free public transport trial has been shortened to six weeks, as opposed to the previously covered proposal of nine weeks of free travel.

The initiative received its final approval on October 30 and £225,000 has been allocated for the trial.

How will the free public transport trial work?

The 1,000 people that have been selected to participate will be aged between 29 and 59 and each will receive a preloaded travel card for six weeks.

These will give them access to buses, the Subway and local trains across Zones 1 and 2 in Glasgow.

Single bus fares in Glasgow currently cost from £3.60 to £5.90, while £1.80 one-way or £4.30 for a day ticket are the costs of subway fares.

The pilot aims to explore how free access to public transport affects travel choices, access to services and participants’ overall well-being”, according to Angus Millar, the council’s transport convenor.

On the other hand, Christy Mearns, Scottish Greens councillor and transport spokesperson, added that “as a city with one of the lowest levels of car ownership across the whole of Scotland, this will have a transformative impact for people living in poverty and experiencing social isolation, and I hope that it will pave the way for expanding free public transport in Glasgow longer-term.”