The Verge reports that Paris is currently suffering its worst pollution spell since 2007. Yesterday, Paris and several other regions were on high alert for a third straight day as unseasonably warm winds carried pollution across the country.
Yesterday, Paris’ transit authority head announced all forms of public transit will be free this weekend.
“Considering the important risks for the inhabitants, I have decided, along with the government, to make all regional public transportations free during the pollution peak”, said Jean-Paul Huchon in a statement.
But environmentalists have criticized the city for not doing more to combat pollution sooner.
Parisian mayoral candidate Christophe Najdovski said Paris authorities have exercised “irresponsible inaction” and has suggested what he and his parties would bring to the city in terms of new traffic regulations. The ideas include creating a new route that would allow heavy trucks to bypass Paris, as well as a rule that would allow citizens to only use cars on alternate days, depending on their license plate number.
France isn’t the only European country suffering from smog. In London, air-quality readings are currently sitting a level worse than Shanghai and Beijing, cities widely described in the media as smog-plagued.
