People in Austria are the most frequent users of public transport in the European Union, according to a new analysis by the Austrian Transport Association (VCÖ).
The report found that people in Austria travel an average of 2,160 kilometres per year on trains, trams, and U-Bahn services – more than double the EU average.
France comes in second place, with 1,750 kilometres travelled per person, followed by Sweden with 1,440 kilometres. Germany ranks fifth with 1,280 kilometres. The EU average stands at 1,060 kilometres per person. The only country in Europe to surpass Austria is Switzerland, where citizens travel 2,310 kilometres by train each year.
The VCÖ report also highlighted that Austrians drive fewer kilometres per year than the EU average. Austrians drove an average of 7,770 kilometres per person last year, compared with the EU average of 9,200 kilometres. Malta has the fewest car journeys, with just 5,130 kilometres per person, while Luxembourg tops the list with 12,290 kilometres.
The VCÖ cited the Netherlands as an example of a country where strong infrastructure has encouraged a shift away from car use. Michael Schwendinger, a VCÖ expert, pointed to the Netherlands’ extensive network of cycle paths, which allow many everyday journeys to be made by bicycle.
“A significant proportion of car journeys in Austria are less than five kilometres long,” Mr Schwendinger said. “There is huge potential to shift these shorter trips onto bicycles, but Austria has a lot of catching up to do in terms of improving its cycling infrastructure.”
The VCÖ’s analysis underlined the need for better connections between cities and surrounding areas. The organisation has called for an expansion of suburban rail networks and more tram routes extending to the outskirts of larger cities.