The Austrian government allocated 120 million euros in this year’s budget for a free annual card for all types of transport in the country, and all 18-year-olds with a permanent address in the country are entitled to receive it.

The goal of this investment is “to get young adults used to using public transport, to discover its conveniences and thus contribute to the protection of the environment in the long term”.

Within a period of three years, until reaching the age of 21, young people are entitled to use this free annual card.

Environment Minister Leonore Gevesler of the Green Party introduced the “climate annual ticket” two years ago. For three euros a day, holders of this annual card can travel for free regardless of public transport, and the price for a year amounts to 1,095 euros. For adults over 65 years old, young people up to 25 years old and people with disabilities, the rate is lower – 821 euros. Currently, 245,000 people use Austria’s annual transport card. It is valid for one, two or three provinces, which also determines its price.

Illustrative Photo: Vienna Public Transport / City of Vienna