Bucharest’s new mayor Gabriela Firea has reconsidered her idea of making public transport free of charge in Bucharest and came up with some changes.

The public transport in Bucharest would be free only on certain days and during certain hours, the mayor said.

“Like in the morning before the busiest time, and after this peak. It’s also a proposal. Then, the citizens to benefit from free travel on certain days. I insist on the fact that the program will only start after we make sure that we have a quality transport service,” Firea said, according to local Digi24.

The municipality will launch a pilot project first, she also said without giving a specific date for its start. However, the measure would not apply until the mayor makes sure that the Bucharest public transport company RATB has enough vehicles and can provide decent conditions for the passengers.

Pensioners, war veterans, people with disabilities, and children aged under seven currently benefit from free public transport. Students also get 50% off for monthly subscriptions.

Gabriela Firea was sworn in as Bucharest mayor on Thursday evening, June 23.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com