Vienna, long celebrated for its sprawling tram lines and rich musical legacy, is taking a bold step to address a euro-sized hole in its budget: the end of its €1-a-day travel pass.
The Austrian capital runs one of the world’s largest streetcar networks and has topped global liveability rankings five times since 2018. This year, however, it slipped to second place amid rising security concerns and the impact of pricier tickets.
Mobility expert Hermann Knoflacher of Vienna’s University of Technology warns that hiking transit fares could reshape the city’s long-standing push away from car dependency. "The strategy in Vienna for the last 40 years was moving towards pedestrianisation, public transport and more cycling," he says. "Increasing annual prices may affect our future ranking."
As Vienna bids farewell to its budget-friendly travel pass, commuters, entrepreneurs and digital nomads alike are weighing the trade-offs between cost and convenience. With sustainability and urban livability on the line, the city now faces a new test: can it maintain its crown without the €1 ticket?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
