Only 28 percent of Styrian households have a Klimaticket

Five years after Austria introduced the Klimaticket, about 28 percent of households in Styria have an annual public transport pass, well below the national average, ORF Steiermark reports. The pass is most popular in Graz.

Statistics Austria data show that 1.67 million households, or 40 percent nationwide, had at least one annual public transport pass. That was about 320,000 more than in 2019 and 2020, according to mobility organisation VCÖ.

Styria has about 164,000 households with an annual pass. More than 93,000 Klimatickets were sold in Graz last year; the city’s subsidy may have contributed to the strong demand.

VCÖ compared the cost of the Styrian Klimaticket with fuel expenses on several commuter routes. For 220 working days, fuel for the Judenburg to Leoben route costs an average of about 2,900 euros, more than five times the ticket price. The pass would save commuters nearly 2,400 euros, said VCÖ expert Klara Maria Schenk.

Estimated annual savings are about 1,660 euros for the Mürzzuschlag to Kapfenberg route, nearly 1,800 euros between Leibnitz and Graz, and about 2,000 euros between Weiz and Graz.

The Styrian Klimaticket Classic currently costs 532 euros, and its price is not set to rise next year. In Graz, the city subsidy reduces the price by 100 euros. VCÖ said keeping tickets affordable and improving public transport were important, and urged employers to support staff with tax-advantaged public transport job tickets.

In Greenpeace’s latest ranking of public transport affordability across 30 European countries and capitals, Austria fell to fourth place. The environmental organisation cited, among other factors, above-average fare increases for bus and rail.

There is still no solution for using the Koralmbahn rail line with only the Styrian Klimaticket. Travellers going from Graz to Klagenfurt also need a ticket for Carinthia. Responsibility and funding for a possible solution remain unresolved.