In the government program of the three-party coalition, a “further development” of the climate ticket was announced. This likely concerns the free use of the ticket for 18-year-olds, which was introduced last year. The abolition of the KTÖ18 had already been planned during the failed negotiations between the ÖVP and FPÖ. On Thursday, it was revealed that the turquoise-red-pink government is abolishing the free option, according to the “Tiroler Tageszeitung” (TT).
The “TT” reported in its Friday edition that a regulation had already been finalized in the mobility ministry led by Peter Hanke (SPÖ). A statement from the ministry to the APA said that the published budget numbers underline the need for consolidation, which the government has agreed upon, and that each department must also contribute. “The abolition of the free KTÖ18 is one of the measures where savings potential has been identified. If this step is taken, the mobility ministry will provide comprehensive information.”
According to Oberhofer, nearly 15 million euros have been spent so far.
In the TT, Tirol NEOS state leader and member of parliament Dominik Oberhofer commented on the free climate ticket introduced by former transport minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens), noting that nearly 15 million euros had been spent on it since 2024. It is clear that such “financial incentives” will no longer be possible with such a strained federal budget.
Naturally, the current climate protection spokesperson of the Greens criticized these plans. The government is “taking away a great piece of freedom from young people in Austria” for Easter. The KTÖ18 was an investment in a good future to sustainably inspire young people for public transportation and climate protection. “While there is still money for the multi-billion Lobau highway and the subsidization of foreign haulers with the diesel privilege, the government is cutting back on youth. I think that’s wrong,” Leonore Gewessler stated in a statement.
Real spending was lower than budgeted.
The free climate ticket had been budgeted at 120 million euros in the former climate ministry. The actual spending was significantly lower; at the beginning of the year, only one in five of the roughly 89,000 eligible recipients used the free option, according to the ministry’s previous figures. A regular youth climate ticket (up to 25 years old) has cost 884.20 euros since the beginning of the year.
The KTÖ18 was introduced on July 1, 2024. All individuals who turned or will turn 18 between January 1, 2024, and their 21st birthday and have a residence in Austria are eligible. The free ticket is valid for one year, and the start can be freely chosen between the 18th and the day before their 21st birthday. Those who did not use the ticket in 2024 can still do so in 2025. This group includes 72,000 people, in addition to around 89,000 who will celebrate their 18th birthday in 2025. If everyone claims the ticket, it would cost around 142 million euros this year.
