Alderman in conversation – Hanke: ‘Climate stickers must bear the costs themselves’

“crown”: Mr. Hanke, in an interview in November 2021 in your capacity as Councilor of Public Transport, I asked you if you knew how to take the metro from Spittelau to Stubentor. I caught you wrong then. Do you know today?
Peter Hank: Of course I know that. But I don’t pretend to ride the subway back and forth across the city every day. But there is one thing I am very good at, which is to work with the management of Wiener Linien to ensure that the usual quality of service is restored in the coming months.

Since you know, I’m sure you’ll tell me.
No, I think it’s good to ask nice questions, I just think the topic has now reached a seriousness where the focus is on problem solving.

While I wasn’t joking, I asked the city’s public transportation department if it knew what network it was responsible for.
I know the network and I also know all the construction site sections.

Waiting times of up to 40 minutes for trams, constant breakdowns, the break has been extended again since Monday, wagons crammed every day. A single journey costs 2.40 euros and the annual ticket 365 euros. Is there still a fair price-performance ratio?
Yes, with absolute certainty. 97 percent of those who travel with Wiener Linien are brought to their destination on time. But of course I am not satisfied with the current situation.

What part of the blame do you have for the Wiener Linien crisis?
Of course, we all have a little bit of guilt, because no one person can be held responsible for everything. But I’ve had new management there since November and that’s what’s needed now. And if that gap is not closed by early September, there will be consequences.

What consequences?
I talk about it with those affected. We have organizational structures and responsibilities there. And I will claim those responsibilities.

When will the public transport rates go up, when will the annual pass become more expensive?
Rates will not go up this year. I consider the annual pass as a unique offer in this city that is important to me personally. So: the same annual card for at least two years. Any other view would be questionable. We currently see inflation in the order of 10.5 percent on a monthly basis. I do not want to make any promises here that no longer correspond to economic reality.

More salary for the employees, track expansion, infrastructure improvement, new wagons, etc.? How should Wiener Linien continue to finance itself?
The money will ultimately have to come from the city. And that, of course, means that the subsidy for this company goes up. We are talking about a double-digit million euros per year.

The city of Vienna is deteriorating public transport, but is dutifully building new roads. Should the Viennese switch from car to public transport or from public transport to car?
This is a totally wrong analysis. This year alone, we are investing more than 700 million in public transport. And also nice that public transport is clearly on the rise again after the difficult Corona years.

What do you think of the climate stickers?
Climate neutrality is one of our main goals. I support a policy of investing in renewable forms of energy, Vienna relies on geothermal energy, large heat pumps and solar energy. But I don’t like sticky campaigns either, because they lead to a permanent escalation. I reject such actions. On the contrary, the climate stickers should bear the costs they cause themselves.

On to the next construction site. Wien Energie and the financing crisis. The U-Commission’s arbitration board has admitted your cell phone as evidence. Have you already submitted it?
No, I’m not giving up my cell phone either, but I’ll cooperate as best I can with any information I can disclose voluntarily and in consultation with our legal advisors.

Do you think it makes much sense if the people whose data need to be analyzed analyze their data themselves?
I will not judge them myself, but will pass on telephone numbers and information in the sense of supporting the subject of investigation.

We constantly report about huge bills of thousands of euros for small apartments, about absurd regulations and long queues at Wien Energie. The Viennese are getting burnt out, many have to decide whether to heat or pay rent. At the same time, Wien Energie and Wiener Netze treat themselves to Christmas parties for around 400,000 euros. 100 kilos of venison and 80 kilos of salmon were served. That is decadence in its purest form, or do you see it differently?
I would like to point out that we have seen outstanding employee performance over the years, especially in those companies that provide a service that we have always been proud of and can be proud of. I would not regard it as arrogant that those employees are also given the opportunity to celebrate a Christmas party, but as a thank you.

What are the premiums, bonuses and special payments for directors, managers and other senior employees of Wien Energie in 2022?
Performance contracts are everywhere. And the performance contracts are the basis for remuneration in this form. And I think it’s good practice in the country that we don’t talk about bonus levels in the media. This is a matter of data protection and seriousness.

But are there such bonuses?
There are always bonuses in a group, in every company in this country. but they are guided by the agreed services.

Gas prices are currently falling on world markets, while Viennese are still paying large amounts of money for their bills. When are prices passed on to customers?
I think it is very important that prices go down again as soon as possible, if the market allows it. So I’ll be one of the first to look at this issue at the end of Q1 and then I’ll make a policy decision accordingly.

20 percent of the ORF compensation is a state tax that goes into the pot of the city of Vienna. Can you, as alderman of Finance, imagine waiving this amount to ease the Viennese burden?
I think it is important that there is a public broadcaster that is well positioned. The financing must now be clarified in its entirety.

The state tax does not go to the ORF, but to the city of Vienna.
No, but the question is how the ORF is financed. I think that’s just a coherent discussion.

How many millions does the city get in state taxes per year?
A double-digit million euro amount.

What is the current status of Vienna’s debts?
It concerns 8.8 billion euros.

Increasing trend?
It is very gratifying that in 2022, despite a difficult year, we have not had to take on any further debt. It is clear that this and next year will be challenging. Of course there will also be a big salary increase. If we assume an increase of about seven percent in terms of personnel, this means a high additional burden on our city budgets. It is about a three-digit million euro amount.

Let’s go to federal politics. Has SPÖ leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner recommended herself as chancellor in recent weeks?
She is our party leader and has our confidence in her form.

According to polls, the FPÖ has long since overtaken the SPÖ in the federal government. Do you have an explanation for this?
I believe that the general situation, carried by permanent crises, difficulties, inflation and fears, is leading society to drift a little to the right here and there. Therefore, unfortunately, the spectrum of parties in this area also has greater gains.

Is the governor of Burgenland, Hans Peter Doskozil, partly responsible for the situation?
I believe that unity and togetherness can only be an advantage. Anything that distracts us from it is a hindrance.

Final question: what’s the worst thing someone evaluating your phone would find on it?
What’s the worst? A few photos that might show one or the other in a pose he wouldn’t like to be photographed in.