The network ticket for public transport planned by the Austrian federal government received the necessary approval in the Federal Council. Only the FPÖ voted against it. The tickets are to be sold by One Mobility GmbH, which was founded especially for this purpose.
The Ministry of Transport, led by Leonore Gewessler (Greens), is pushing the introduction of network tickets under the title “Klimaticket”. These are to be offered for sale in three variants (one federal state, two federal states and all of Austria). The state subsidizes the tickets in order to keep the end customer price low. It is planned that the costs for the implementation of the climate ticket will be financed from the collected fare as well as donations from the federal budget. The legal requirements for payments to the transport companies and the framework conditions for the transport association organization companies are to be specified in detail. The law stipulates that the Minister of Transport can issue ordinances and conclude the necessary contractual agreements.
Sales company founded
An accompanying measure is another federal law with which the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology is authorized to create One Mobility GmbH as a joint sales platform for several transport companies and transport association organizations. This company should guarantee a non-discriminatory distribution of the climate ticket. As a national sales platform, it should ensure transparent tariffs and standardization of ticketing in public transport.
Today, a "decisive decision" has been made for public transport, said State Secretary Magnus Brunner with delight. The climate ticket is one building block among many and an important signal for the future. Now the legal basis must be "brought to life" through further negotiations with the federal states. However, the climate ticket must not only have an impact on urban areas, it is primarily about expanding infrastructure in rural areas, emphasised the State Secretary.