Government stops free of charge - a slap in the face for young people!

Government stops free of charge - a slap in the face for young people!

On April 19, 2025, the decision of the Austrian government to abolish the free climatic for young people ensures excitement. The Greens, led by climate protection spokeswoman Leonore Gewessler, criticize this step sharply and speak of a broken word of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ). Because the SPÖ had promised in the election campaign to maintain and even expand the ticket for everyone under the age of 25. Minister of Transport Peter Hanke, on the other hand, justifies the measure with the claim that the ticket has remained under the expectations, an argument that is certain as flimsy.

The free climate, which was introduced in July 2024, enabled 18-year-olds to use public transport free of charge. So far, only about 17,000 of the approximately 89,000 entitlements have redeemed the ticket, which the government gives as the reason for the deletion. The previous costs for the ticket amount to around 15 million euros. In order to achieve the desired savings of 120 million euros by 2025, a massive number of tickets would have to be sold at a regular price.

Criticism of the financial priorities

Guessler emphasizes the importance of the climatic dick for young people because their mobility behavior is shaped in youth. The abolition is rated by many as a measure that does not appeal to the real causes of the budget problems. Critics accuse the government to save on the youth instead of tackling larger expenses such as the harmful praise tunnel or climate -damaging subsidies.

In recent years, the use of public transport in young people has increased slightly, but politics does not seem to adequately appreciate the value of this mobility for the next generation. The decision to delete the free offer could have long -term negative effects on the mobility behavior of the young population.

public mobility and sustainability goals