The changing of the color from green to blue has already started, and in an unusual place. The climate ticket should not be abolished under blue-black – as many feared – but only recolored. As the “Krone” has learned, in the future it will be called the “Österreich-Ticket” and will no longer be free for 18-year-olds.
This will make many people happy, because the flagship project of the current Green Party climate minister, Leonore Gewessler, is very popular. As the current figures from the ministry show, more than 300,000 people now have the ticket for the whole of Austria. That is 100,000 more than the year before. There are also more than 1.3 million regional climate maps from the federal states.
Already more than 300,000 tickets throughout Austria
Most tickets (169,800) are Classic. 11,500 of these are family tickets, meaning a maximum of four children between the ages of six and 15 can travel. Ticket prices have increased as of January 1. The standard ticket costs 1,179.30 euros instead of the previous 1,095 euros. Youth, senior and special 884.20 instead of 821 euros and the family ticket 1297.80 instead of 1002.70 euros. Civil servants, military personnel, 18-year-olds (for one year) and young police officers travel for free.
FPÖ and ÖVP think about restrictions
During the Blue-Black government negotiations, there was speculation about an end to the climate ticket. But the costs for the state are lower than expected. According to Parliament’s budget analysis, approximately 800 million euros are budgeted for this, of which 250 million will be returned through the price (545 million remains). According to the ministry, this amount will not be used. Leonore Gewessler’s department estimates the costs at 335 million.
Public transport tickets are especially popular with boys
The Austria-wide climate ticket was therefore supported with 121 million euros in tax revenues in 2024. These are the costs for all tickets, including those for civilians and military. The regional tickets of the federal states were supported with 214 million euros in 2024. Most users (41 percent) are younger than 30 years old, a third are between 30 and 45 years old.
The ticket is now blue or red-white-red
Abolishing the ticket wouldn’t go over very well – at least in urban areas. This is also evident from a short survey by krone.tv. The FPÖ and ÖVP may have noticed this and no longer want to abolish the ticket, but simply want to adjust it.
It is now said that the original idea came from the FPÖ. It comes from the time of Norbert Hofer as Minister of Transport. The project should therefore continue to exist and simply be renamed Austria-Ticket. And: The free year for 18-year-olds will be canceled again. You can stay enthusiastic.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
