With no relief in sight from the high pollution levels being recorded in northern France, Paris transport authorities have announced that travellers can ride for free starting on Friday and through the weekend due to "health risks", reports FRANCE 24.
Jean-Paul Huchon, the head of the organisation that oversees transport in Paris and areas neighbouring the capital, said transport would be free from Friday morning to Sunday evening due to the "significant risks to the health of residents".
Municipalities often recommend increasing the use of public transport as a way to cut down on the pollution produced by private cars.
Paris and much of northern France have been at the maximum alert level for several days after an extended period of cool, dry nights with much warmer daytime temperatures – climactic conditions that do not allow pollutant particles to disperse.
The maximum threshold is likely to be exceeded for a fourth consecutive day in the Paris region on Friday, according to the Airparif Association, an environmental body responsible for monitoring air quality.
Regional monitoring centres have registered a high atmospheric concentration of PM10 particles, those with a diameter of less than 10 microns.
Read more of this report from FRANCE 24.