Free rides, for real!

As of January 1st, anyone with a registered Tallinn address can purchase a personalized fare card called "ühiskaart" that will allow them free use of the city's buses, trams, and trolleys. According to Tallinna linnapea Edgar Savisaar this will make the Estonian pealinn the flagship of the green movement in Europe as many car drivers are now tempted to switch to ühiskondlik transport.

Tallinn is however not the esimene linn to have free public transportation. Hasselt in Belgium has it since 1996 - even for tourists! Which Üllar Luup in Postimees was quick to point out last year. Alas, as a tourist in Tallinn you still have to pay the appropriate fare - unless you want to risk paying the trahv. For non-residents, a day pass costs 3 euros and a 3-day pass 5. Well, at least those passes are pretty cheap... You can purchase them at any R-kiosk or through the internet. And Tallinners: Congratulations!

sanasto = sõnastik = vocabulary 
autoilija = autojuht = car driver
ensimmäinen kaupunki = esimene linn = first city
ilmainen = tasuta = free (of charge)
julkinen liikenne = ühiskondlik transport = public transportation
kaupunginjohtaja, pormestari = meer, linnapea = mayor
lippulaiva = lipulaev = flagship
matkakortti = ühiskaart = fare card
paikkakuntalainen = elanik = resident
pääkaupunki = pealinn = capital 
sakko = trahv = fine 
taksa = sõiduraha = fare
vihreä liike = roheline liikumine = green movement
voimassa yhden tunnin = kehtiv ühe tunni jooksul = valid for one hour
yhden vuorokauden lippu = ühe päeva kaart = a  day pass