Although officials at the Old Palace expected the news of free public transport in Belgrade to be met with enthusiasm, the reaction from many citizens was more skeptical. The question that has arisen is how much this “free” initiative will ultimately cost both the people of Belgrade and the city’s budget. As with any populist measure, even when something is marketed as “free,” there is always an underlying cost.
The mayor of Belgrade, Aleksandar Šapić, assured the public in a statement to RTS that the introduction of free public transport, set to begin on January 1, would not negatively impact the city’s finances.
However, in reality, Belgraders will only formally save money on monthly tickets for public transport. The “savings” in the city budget will need to be offset elsewhere, and citizens will likely see an increase in other costs. For example, utility bills have already been rising, and with the new year, Belgrade’s drivers will be hit with higher parking fees as part of the city’s effort to fund its populist initiatives.
Šapić also announced plans to procure new trams and electric buses starting in January or February, with the goal of adding 1,200 new buses to the city’s fleet by the end of 2025. However, even if the public transport fleet is fully modernized, a major issue remains: finding qualified drivers. Transport operators, especially private companies that received lucrative contracts from the city this year, are struggling to hire enough drivers. Many of the foreign drivers brought in to fill the gap are inadequately trained, leading to problems such as confusion over new routes and unprofessional driving practices.
In the end, while “free” public transport may seem like a win for Belgrade residents, the financial and operational challenges it brings may ultimately outweigh the initial benefits.
