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Description
Traditionally the only means of public transport on the Faroe Islands has been buses or ferries. The bus
service in Torshavn was rarely used due to an infrequent service – a service that people were unwilling
to pay for. People preferred to use their cars, which made for a heavily congested town center and
a premium on parking spaces. In 2008 the municipality of Tórshavn established free public bus
transports for all. The free public transportation has led to more people using buses instead of private
cars and has led to the development of more frequent and better planned bus services. In addition, the
project aims at reducing air pollution, fuel usage, noise and the emission of greenhouse gases as well as
road maintenance needs and costs, and parking congestion in the city.
Major achievements
Sustainability impacts
• Reduced road maintenance costs due to reduced traffic.
• Less investment required to provide parking facilities.
• Reduced air pollution and CO2 emissions.
• Declined annual growth rate in private car sales (from 6.8% in 2008 to 0.5% in 2012).
