Prices for Annual Pass of Wiener Linien and Parking Permit Increase

Vienna increases prices for public transport tickets and parking by up to 30 percent

Vienna increases the prices for public transport tickets and parking. The rates rise by up to 30 percent. The annual pass for Wiener Linien will cost 467 euros instead of the previous 365 euros - with a discount available for the digital version. Other tickets will be adjusted accordingly. Parking will also become more expensive. Not only are the prices for parking tickets rising, but the parking permit is also becoming more expensive.

Higher Prices for Wiener Linien Annual Pass and Parking Permit

The parking permit will cost 13 euros instead of the previous 10 euros per month. There will also be a measure in the tourism sector. The local tax will be increased from 3.2 to 8.5 percent. The tariff increases were presented on Monday by Finance City Councillor Barbara Novak and Transport and Planning City Councillor Ulli Sima (both SPÖ). They were justified by the budgetary situation and the increased need for consolidation.

The price for the annual pass is rising for the first time in 13 years. In 2012, it was reduced from 449 to 365 euros by the then red-green city government. From January 1, 2026, the card will now cost 467 euros, at least if you choose the classic card format. If you purchase the ticket digitally, it costs 461 euros. As Sima emphasized, there will also be a new youth ticket. People under 26 years can purchase it for 300 euros (294 euros digitally). A study is no longer a prerequisite for obtaining the discounted ticket.

As Sima emphasized, the increase in the annual pass was made analogous to that of the nationwide climate ticket. This has been available for a much shorter time, but it has already become 27.85 percent more expensive. Other ticket variants, such as the various single ticket categories, are also affected by the ticket measure. However, the offer will be streamlined. In the future, for a single journey, you can choose between a regular ticket and a discounted one for children or young people. The former will cost 3.2 euros (3 euros digitally) instead of the current 2.40 euros.

Fare Dodging Will Cost 30 Euros More, Now 135 Euros

The single ticket for seniors will be discontinued. The 48-hour and 72-hour tickets will also be a thing of the past from next year. However, a valorization of the annual pass is new. Sima announced regular adjustments today. This is more sensible than leaving the price unchanged for a long period and then significantly increasing it, she stated. Those who choose the option of traveling without a ticket will also have to dig deeper into their pockets if caught. Fare dodging will cost 135 euros instead of 105 euros.

Parking Tickets, Parking Permit, Local Tax

Parking tickets will be increased by 30 percent, also starting January 1. Specifically, the costs per half hour will rise by 40 cents regardless of the parking ticket. The parking permit will be switched from an annual to a monthly fee. Parking fines will also be increased.

The new rate of the local tax will be collected starting December 1. With the 8.5 percent, we will be in the international midfield, Novak emphasized. The additional revenue will be used to finance projects aimed at reducing the ecological footprint of the growing number of visitors.

The increases are indispensable to achieve the targeted budget goals and cover the costs of urban infrastructure, the finance councilor assured. The steps now announced will contribute to consolidation to varying degrees: Parking is expected to generate an additional 81 million euros, and the local tax an additional 81 million euros. Revenue from public transport is expected to increase by up to 150 million euros annually.

Criticism from the Opposition

The Vienna opposition reacted with criticism to the package: Increasing the cost of public transport and parking in Vienna will not fill the budget gap, but will instead place a massive burden on the people of Vienna, noted FPÖ city works spokesperson Klemens Resch. Citizens would likely be charged because the Vienna lines miscalculated their construction projects, he speculated. Motorists, he further argued, should be relieved rather than burdened. Parking permit holders already have to search for a parking space for hours, especially in the inner-city districts.

The Greens were upset that the city government was dismantling the "internationally acclaimed beacon" of the 365-euro annual ticket. A cornerstone of climate-friendly mobility in Vienna is being destroyed, party leaders Judith Pühringer and Peter Kraus expressed indignantly. An increase of more than 100 euros would hit families with low incomes particularly hard. Additionally, the fare increase would further fuel inflation.

The Vienna ÖVP also criticized the measures. Instead of saving within their own system, the SPÖ-NEOS city government is once again collecting from the people of Vienna, criticized acting state party chairman Markus Figl. The increase in the public transport annual ticket by over 100 euros affects everyone who relies on public transport daily. Instead of increasing the efficiency of the Vienna lines or reforming internal structures, the costs are being passed on to the citizens.

The Austrian Traffic Club expressed general understanding for the increase in the annual ticket. However, it was pointed out that in absolute terms, it is almost three times as high as the additional costs for the parking permit. The strong price increase for the public transport annual ticket compared to parking is counterproductive for the goal of a stronger shift from car traffic to public transport, they warned.

ÖHV Criticizes Increase in Local Tax

The increase in the local tax was criticized by the Austrian Hotel Association (ÖHV). Since Vienna calculates the tax as a percentage of the accommodation fee, the city benefits from every hotel opening and every investment in the industry, as well as from every price increase due to inflation, ÖHV President Walter Veit pointed out. An increase in the percentage is therefore not necessary, he assured. Guests and families with smaller budgets are also being overlooked here.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.