Brussels ups offers for those ditching cars

Belguim’s capital city authorities have revamped its “Bruxell’air” mobility bonus allowing citizens an easier transition to sustainable mobility, now offering up to 900 euros to every citizen who cancels their car registration and applies for the bonus.

The move aims to get more people to ditch personal cars and switch to less carbon-intensive modes of transportation in the city, the money possibly used to buy cycling or e-bike gear, and a subscription to public transport or car sharing.

Bruxell’air was established in 2006 to encourage people to adopt transportation other than the personal car, now almost doubling the initial 500-euro bonus.

In 2018, 900 people received the bonus, climbing to 1200 in 2019 and 1049 in 2020, with applications fulling in 2021 due to the system’s restructuring and suspension for a few months, says The Mayor EU in outlining the scheme.

It reports the bonuses will be distributed based on the yearly income of the individual or household, – higher for lower earners. At the same time, people with disabilities will receive the highest amount of 900 euros regardless of their income.

Any amount not spent on transportation must be returned to the city.