Brussels City Council decided that in days of excessive air pollution urban transport and bicycle rentals will be free, local media reported, quoted by BTA.
After two consecutive days of high particulate matter (PM) levels – defined as surpassing an average of 51-70 micrograms per cubic metre of air – buses, trams and metros would have to open their doors completely free, under new city council rules.
Other measures include reduced speed limits and a ban on wood fires, unless they are the only source of heating for households. A new pollutant has also been added to the list of particles that will be monitored.
Officials say they expect it to enter into force by the summer.
Pascal Smet, Brussels’ mobility minister said the measures would redress tax and planning benefits that had benefited the city’s 350,000 daily car commuters over many decades.
“We need to create quality public space,” he told . “Research shows that the more space you give to cars, the more cars you attract. Indeed, the most car-friendly cities are also the most congested. By giving back space to pedestrians and cyclists, cities can create places where people meet and connect.”
The EU’s fight against air pollution is itself being put under the microscope at the moment by the bloc’s Court of Auditors, which is looking into how effective current policies are. Brussels is among six European cities where auditors are collecting data. A final report is due later this year.
The World Health Organisation estimated that, in 2014, 92% of the world’s population lived in areas where its guidelines on air quality levels were not met. Health experts warn that pollutants increase the chances of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases significantly.
> Shiuly Akter
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