As anyone who has been to the petrol station lately will tell you, filling up the tank has become a rather scary affair that seems to get more painful with each passing week. Whilst this could be taken as yet another reason to hop on yer bike, for some this simply isn't an option and getting around has become alarmingly expensive.
Wouldn't it be nice if there was an alternative to shelling out a large portion of disposable income on getting from A to B? As the cost of living crisis touches almost every aspect of daily life, even public transport can be a bit pricey.
Which makes Germany's initiative to offer monthly travel passes to residents for just €9 all the more appealing. This modest sum permits travel across the country on almost all public networks and has, unsurprisingly, been "a box office hit", in the words of Germany's transport minister.
It's certainly an enviable scheme and probably a huge boost to domestic tourism. For all the joys of Southern Europe, getting there isn't cheap. Imagine if instead you could travel to all the quirky corners of Belgium for next to nothing; there's a lot to be said for exploring your own back yard.
Whilst Belgium does have some appealing offers for trains – especially for weekend trips – nothing quite comes close to nationwide travel for €9. Let's hope that the good idea catches on elsewhere.
How do you get around? Let @Orlando_tbt know.
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1. Energy prices: Households could save €400 on their gas bills
Households in Belgium could save between €300 and €400 on their gas bills this year depending on what type of contract they have, the Federal Energy Regulator (CREG) announced on Wednesday. Read more.
2. Germany introduces €9/month travel tickets until end of summer
In a push to counter the soaring cost of living, the German Government is introducing a 9-Euro-Ticket, which will allow Germans to use public transport across the entire country for just €9 per month until the end of summer. Read more.
3. Spain drops entry restrictions for EU travellers
Tourists travelling to Spain from EU countries and the Schengen area will from today no longer have to show their Digital Covid Certificate upon arrival. Read more.
4. Ukraine war enters 100 days of fighting
On February 24, Russia launched a full-scale offensive against Ukraine as part of its “special military operation” to “demilitarise” and “denazify” the Ukrainian state. Nearly 100 days later, Russia has achieved few of its military objectives and has incurred heavy casualties in its abortive pushes across the country. Read more.
5. Two-thirds of global population developed antibodies against Covid-19
More than two-thirds of the world’s population built up a significant amount of antibodies against Covid-19 at the end of last year, either by vaccination or infection, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on 1 July. Read more.
6. BikeOnTrain: New SNCB tool flags which trains are suitable for bicycles
The SNCB is launching a trip planner to give users the ability to consult online which trains are best suited to accommodate bicycles, reports Belga News Agency. Read more.
7. Hidden Belgium: Barista coffee at the explosives factory
Vilvoorde has lost most of its industrial heritage, but one former factory is still standing next to the canal. Read more.
