Vienna on a back burner: financial needs and new traffic projects in view!

Vienna on a back burner: financial needs and new traffic projects in view!

Wien, Österreich - Vienna plans massive investments in the public transport system! Nine tram lines are to be extended or laid, as the Viennese Greens boss Judith Pühringer emphasizes. The complete expansion would require a proud 68 kilometers of new tracks and is estimated at 1.7 to two billion euros - a fraction compared to the gigantic costs of the Lobau highway, which can claim up to six billion euros. Pühringer sees the potential in the trams to become the “Champions” of the Vienna public network, as they can be built quickly and inexpensively and offer high capacities.

financial challenges for the city

But the financial challenges of the city of Vienna cannot be overlooked. Despite savings of around 300 million euros due to an improved controlling system for large -scale projects, the debt is expected to continue to increase and is currently reaching an impressive 11.9 billion euros. According to Finance City Councilor Peter Hanke (SPÖ), the originally expected deficit for 2024 was reduced from 2.2 billion to 1.7 billion euros. However, for 2025 a "worst-case scenario" is feared with a deficit of 3.8 billion euros, mainly due to a drastic decline in the federal income.

The city plans to stabilize the financial situation and save up to 500 million euros. Hanke calls for negotiations in financial equalization and discussions with the federal government about the EU stability pact. Efficiency increases should be achieved by using AI solutions in the administrative apparatus, while the improvement in urban services continues to be a top priority. For example, the 365-euro annual card remains for public transport, and investments in the infrastructure are to be continued, such as orf.at and kosmo.at .