Sustainable transport

USR (Save Romania Union) Bucharest proposes six measures to be taken in the case of the public transportation system after May 15, among which the limitation of this system's capacity to 30 per cent and avoiding face to face contact between passengers.

Passengers using public transport as of May 4, the day when the first round of measures relaxing the lockdown will come into effect, should wear a face mask, practice diligent social distancing and avoid unnecessary travel, the government said on Wednesday.

Citizens were also advised to use their car, if possible, instead of public transportation.

Atmospheric pollution in the capital has dropped significantly since a public lockdown was introduced last month to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

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.