In Tallinn, the first European capital to implement a fare-free public transport (FFPT) policy, it is. Since 2013, citizens have been able to use buses, trolleybuses, and trams for free by validating a green card connected to their personal IDs. However, tourists and non-residents still have to buy a ticket.
Social artist and interdisciplinary researcher Anton Polsky has explored the city by riding on public transport and has observed how people interact on board. This helped him create a unique board game that reflects the history and social aspects of the public transport system in Tallinn. Unlike other existing board games about public transport which are mainly dedicated to building routes or delivering goods, this game focuses on social interactions amongst passengers. This is also contrary to public transport planning ‘from above’ which sometimes fails to consider the diversity of users and the individuality of each passenger. In response to that, the game tests a participatory type of planning in which the efficiency of transportation is linked with social interactions and synergy amongst passengers.
Activist, artist and co-founder of Partizaning.org. Based in Moscow, Russia.
Activist, artist and co-founder of Partizaning.org. Based in Moscow, Russia.