Car Free Day will be celebrated on Thursday: free public transport awaits Vilnius residents

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Traveling in one of the most popular ways in the city, there is no need to activate tickets on buses, trolleys or mobile apps on this day.

“On a car-free day, residents and guests of the capital are encouraged to try more sustainable travel alternatives: bicycles, public transport, and perhaps cover a longer section of the journey on foot. If it is not possible to leave the car at home on this day, we encourage family members, neighbors or friends to ride along. We aim to have as few cars as possible on the streets on this day”, – Jonas Damidavičius, head of mobility transformation at JUDU (SĮ Susisiekimo paslaugos) emphasizes the importance of sustainable mobility.

A day without a car

© Organization photo.

It often becomes a real discovery for travelers – they begin to understand that sustainable mobility alternatives are just as fast, safe and comfortable as their own car. And recently, when we are increasingly calculating fuel costs, it is even more relevant.

The activity of Vilnius residents is increasing every year

According to J. Damidavičius, the activity of the capital’s residents to give up their cars on this day is increasing every year. Although the incentive to ride for free has an impact on the significantly increased public transport passenger traffic on this day, it also shows the desire of Vilnius residents to look for alternative solutions for traveling by their own car.

“This positively shapes not only the one-day travel habits of Vilnius residents – they tend to choose less polluting trips in the future as well.” And although passenger flows in public transport have not yet fully reached pre-pandemic levels, now they have already increased by a quarter compared to public transport trips in the same period last year,” the manager of mobility transformation calculates.

Jonas Damidavicius

© Organization photo.

According to the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan approved by the Vilnius City Municipality, by 2030 In Vilnius and its approaches, they will move and travel in equal parts of 30 percent each. by car, public transport and on foot (now 48.5%, 24%, 25% each), 7% – by bicycle (now 1.5%) and 3%. – by other means, such as taxis, sharing services, etc. (now 1 percent).

“Various infrastructural and traffic regulation measures are applied to implement the goals, and in addition, attention is paid to initiatives to change travel habits, such as Day without a car,” says J. Damidavičius.

Harmony promises change for those who travel

According to J. Damidavičius, the city pays special attention to the promotion of sustainable mobility. This will have positive changes for both pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

A day without a car

A day without a car

© Organization photo.

Until 2023 It is planned to fully equip the main network of high-quality bicycle paths, which will be about 160 km, and bicycle storage for residents will be installed next to it. Pedestrian infrastructure is also maintained, which is necessary for safe and convenient daily transportation. A network of public transport lanes is being installed, in 2025. which will be 46 km., new public transport routes are being introduced, allowing more than 86 percent to use public transport. city ​​residents.

“Of course, in addition to these measures, general challenges of traffic organization are also being addressed, which will allow all vehicles in the city to move more smoothly and faster in the future – priority traffic light systems for public transport will be created, traffic light traffic corridors will be implemented, sections will be planned where traffic priority will be reserved for cyclists and pedestrians” , – the head of mobility transformation talks about the changes awaiting Vilnius residents.

A day without a car

A day without a car

© Organization photo.

Vilnius is the leader in transport sharing in Europe

Vilnius is considered a leader in sharing transport services in Europe. Today, there are more than 1,400 cars, 200 scooters and about 3,000 scooters in the capital, which are shared by Vilnius residents. Car sharing alone makes about 1.5 million trips every year. travel.

J. Damidavičius notes that Vilnius is famous for providing sharing services under good conditions, and the citizens like it and actively use it.

A day without a car

A day without a car

© Organization photo.

“It is estimated that currently using one shared car in Vilnius can replace 6-7 private cars. The goal is to increase this number to 10. This would help reduce pollution in the city, provide better opportunities for private car drivers to find parking spaces, and reduce traffic congestion,” he says.

A jubilee cycling route for a harmonious journey

The largest sustainable movement campaign, the European Mobility Week, and this year’s theme “Move more freely”, there are plenty of meaningful events in the capital: from walking competitions to various sports tournaments. Various institutions traditionally contribute to the initiatives this week, encouraging their employees to travel to work in sustainable ways.

A day without a car

A day without a car

© Organization photo.

Encouraging sustainable and active movement, JUDU, in cooperation with “Neakiväinii Vilniaus”, presents the citizens with a festive bicycle route for the 700th anniversary of Vilnius.

“We invite the residents and guests of the capital not only to spend the whole day harmoniously, but also to mark the anniversary – the 700th year – of the capital, get acquainted with the renewed bicycle infrastructure of Vilnius and go on a unique excursion. There are as many as 30 places of interest and tourist objects connected with Vilnius’ 700th birthday on the route,” says J. Damidavičius.

A day without a car

A day without a car

© Organization photo.

The route, opened at the beginning of the European Mobility Week, is available in the “Neakivdinii Vilnius” mobile app.

The material has been prepared according to the order of JUDU (SĮ Ssiaciekimos połosjos). Content is paid for.

The article is in Lithuanian

Tags: Car Free Day celebrated Thursday free public transport awaits Vilnius residents

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