Sustainable transport law moves forward in Trento, Italy

Trasporto Pubblico Gratuito: "The bill of the popular initiative which was launched a few days collecting signatures aims to fill the void left by the policy. The creators of the initiative have thrown the heart beyond the obstacle to creating the conditions and to paint a perspective of modern mobility, inclusive and environmentally friendly."

Krakow, Poland, mayoral candidate promises free public transport

wyborcza.pl : "Free public transport for paying taxes in Krakow is the promise of an independent candidate for mayor of the city of Luke Gibały. In turn, the candidates of the Committee Against Krakow Olympics - Agreement Urban Movements in favor of rapid tram instead of the subway."

Cars Will Cook the Planet Absent Shift to Public Transportation

Scientific American: "If the world's cities focused their investments on expanding public transportation, walking and cycling, they could save more than $100 trillion in public and private capital and urban transportation operating costs between now and 2050,"

American people want #publictransit, but government controlled by oil

Poll: 68 percent want more transit spending | TheHill: "Sixty-eight percent of U.S. residents want more federal spending on public transportation systems, according to a polled released on Monday by a Washington, D.C.-based transit advocacy group. "

U.S.-U.K. have killed millions in Iraq in attempt to control oil/gas markets

War Is A Crime .org: "Approximately 3.3 million Iraqis, including 750,000 children, were “exterminated” by economic sanctions and/or illegal wars conducted by the U.S. and Great Britain between 1990 and 2012, an eminent international legal authority says."

Saudi Arabia will fall to Islamic State before September 2015

The three pillars of Saudi power are oil, US military, and Islam. All three are in desperate straits.

The oil is running out. They are pumping up as much water as oil.

The U.S. military cannot afford another multi-trillion-dollar effort in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia has abused Islam, using it to terrorize and oppress. The people yearn for true Islam and most are silently supporting the new Caliphate.

photo from @RamiAlLolah

People in Serbia mobilize for free public transport

(google translate): We advocate the introduction of 100% subsidized, or free for users of public transport.
Our analyzes show that the complete abolition of the system of collection of cards and direct payments from companies in the budget for public transportation can save up around 20 million euros and thus tomorrow to get 100% subsidized public transport.
The transport sector in Serbia and worldwide is responsible for 30% of its pollution gases that create a greenhouse effect and other highly toxic materials that are a product of burning fossil fuels. The transport sector is responsible for the consumption of fossil fuels 1.3. In addition, the transport sector is responsible for a vast noise pollution whose effects have not yet been sufficiently studied. The costs of automobile pollution that are socialized, according to the Dresden Institute of Ecology traffic is estimated at about 750 euros a year per capita of the EU. Bearing in mind that Belgrade is one of the most polluted cities in Europe and the most polluted cities in this part of Europe, the age of the car and the quality of fuel, these costs are much higher. The transport sector is one of the most responsible for this zagađenje.Neke studies done on transportation engineering faculty in Belgrade suggest that the annual costs of automobile lack of culture between 1.5 - 3 billion euros.
One of the main goals of our campaign, in addition to creating a universally accessible public transportation, is just that - reducing pollution and creating sustainable modes of transport, as a part of our vision of creating self-sustaining, environmentally responsible, energy-rational, economically stable and socially equitable communities that run on renewable energy.
Operation and maintenance costs of public transport in Belgrade are about 150 million euros per year. Of these over 80% comes through grants from the city budget, which we the citizens we fill the payment of taxes, fees and other taxes. Despite this fact, if we compare the actual income of citizens (70% have incomes between 150 to 300 euros) and the price of tickets, we've got one of the most expensive tickets in Europe. Only in the past 3 years ticket prices jumped by about 150%, while the price of energy at the same time jumped by only 40%. Most citizens that the price may not pay, especially the unemployed, students, pupils and all those who have a minimum monthly income. Thus, those people limited freedom of movement and immediately restricted access to services that fall under the basic human needs and rights (the right to education, health services, employment, etc.). Those who can afford expensive tickets prefer to use cars because they are cheaper, more comfortable and more reliable mode of transportation.
While the quality of public transport worse (200 new buses have been purchased through a loan repayable citizens from the budget) operating costs of public transport and the percentage by which subsidizes public transport were the introduction of a private monopoly on the sale of tickets on public transport drastically increased. Analyzes on the basis of available data, we determined that there is no economic justification for the introduction of an electronic system for the collection of cards "Bus Plus", which was once the newly established "consortium" registered for marketing, to put it mildly suspicious tender, given a monopoly on the sale of tickets on public transport.
From 'Bus-Plus' benefits has only a handful of tycoons and politicians, and of free and quality public transportation can have all the benefits. On public transport we can not earn, but we can save that much and take steps towards a more just, humane, healthier and sustainable communities highly conscious and conscientious people.

For more go to our Europe blog.

Zory, Poland, to host international conference on free public transport

portalsamorzadowy.pl: "The aim of the conference is to disseminate knowledge on free public transport in cities, to discuss the possibilities and benefits of making it available to residents, as well as the exchange of experiences and to discuss issues of its operation."

Confused about US/UK policy in Middle East? Follow the net energy

If you try to follow all the alliances it gets complicated. Follow the net energy. High net energy means fuel that is easy to extract. The last big reservoir of high net-energy oil is in Iraq near Kirkuk. As cheap oil declines, gas becomes more valuable. The Caspian region has a big reservoir of high net-energy gas.

All the great powers are competing over control of energy sources and transport routes. The higher the net energy, the more intense the fighting. Whoever controls energy, controls the world economy.

The US is especially vulnerable because it is the most car-dependent. It uses force more because it has put all it eggs in the military basket.

cartoon by https://twitter.com/davpope