SPÖ seeks free public transport on holidays and carnival weekends

Austria’s Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) is calling for free public transport in Vorarlberg at Christmas and New Year, during carnival and on the Funken weekend, ORF reports. The party submitted a motion to the Vorarlberg state parliament on Thursday.

The motion is expected to be considered at the parliament’s December session, before Christmas. SPÖ parliamentary group leader Mario Leiter cited Tyrol and Salzburg as examples, saying public transport there is free for everyone on Advent weekends and on Halloween and New Year’s Eve.

Leiter said free bus and train travel on those occasions could improve road safety by discouraging people from driving while under the influence of alcohol or tired. He said people might be more willing to leave their cars at home if they knew public transport was free.

The SPÖ also said the proposal would show that changes to public transport fares need not disadvantage passengers. The party contrasted its idea with a current fare reform by Deputy Governor Bitschi and said free travel could attract new passengers.