At least 46 towns and cities have free buses

Some passengers from the outskirts of the town said they now avoid public transport because as soon as a bus or tram approaches the centre, it becomes uncomfortably crowded.

“Rather than develop free public transport, it is preferable to put in place measures targeted at the most vulnerable people, selected on the basis of their revenue,” the judges wrote.

They also called for municipalities to publish breakdowns of costs, financing and use of urban transport, and for a crackdown on fraud.

Brian McCulloch