From October 26, 2021, the so-called climate ticket is valid in Austria - a network card for almost all public transport. When buying online, it should be noted that this applies no earlier than 14 days after the date of purchase due to the statutory right of withdrawal in distance selling. The start date can be freely selected.
If you want to travel almost immediately, you have to purchase the climate ticket from sales partners, for example the ticket office of the Austrian Federal Railways. There is no difference in price compared to online purchases. In some cases, however, longer queues at the counters are to be expected, because the introductory price of 949 euros (standard version for adults) is only valid until October 31, 2021. After that, it will be more expensive.
With the new network card in the Austria variant, almost all public transport can be used. There are, however, a few exceptions, because, for example, the Flixbus services are not included as this company is not a participant in the climate ticket. The Westbahn, on the other hand, is there and accepts the climate ticket.
14 days waiting time for online purchases
When purchasing the climate ticket, you can freely choose the beginning of the validity. On the Internet, however, you have to note that this can be no earlier than 14 days after the date of purchase. There is no such restriction at the counter. The price can either be paid immediately on the spot or in the form of a surcharge and interest-free installment. A deposit of 158 euros must be paid when purchasing. After about two months, a monthly payment of ten installments is made.
The costs mentioned and the amount of the deposit refer to the nationwide Classic version for adults. Seniors, people with disabilities and people under the age of 26 pay less. Accordingly, the down payment and monthly payments are also lower.
According to the Austrian Federal Railways, holders of the ÖBB-Österreichcard should automatically be switched to the climate ticket. Holders of the ÖBB Vorteilscard look through their fingers, because the price paid in advance is not counted towards the new climate ticket. Holders of annual tickets from participating transport companies and associations can return their previous card by presenting their confirmation of payment of the climate ticket. According to the Ministry of Transport, no costs are charged for this. In Vienna, for example, after buying from the Westbahn or ÖBB, you can go straight to the Wiener Linien counter and return your previous annual ticket there. Any advance payments should be reimbursed proportionally.
VOR regional variant currently more expensive than Austria-wide version
The federal state variants of the climate ticket are very different and there is pretty much nothing left of the original announcement by Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens). The transport associations are likely to prevail here, because the prices of the regional tickets are not uniform. For example, there are many different variants in Upper Austria, sometimes including city traffic in Linz, Wels and Steyr and sometimes not. But the Ostregion transport association delivers a little bit of a bird shot. The normal price ticket for Vienna-Lower Austria-Burgenland costs 915 euros with immediate payment and as much as 956 euros with monthly installments. This means that the early bird campaign for the climate ticket for all of Austria - with monthly account debits - is even cheaper than this regional variant. For a mere seven euros surcharge, you can currently get all other federal states. The pricing of the VOR is, at least at the moment, not very understandable.
In order to be able to purchase the climate ticket, which is valid throughout Austria, you need a photo, the deposit in cash or alternatively a debit or credit card and if you have a Vorteilscard or Österreichcard, you should also take them with you. If you don't have a suitable photo, the ÖBB staff will take one on site free of charge. If you want to buy the discounted options for people with disabilities, young people or retirees, you need an ID that proves your age. Disabled people must also bring a document with them that shows they are entitled to use discounted tickets.
If you want to take advantage of the installment option, you shouldn't forget your IBAN - the easiest way is in the form of a debit card. Then only the down payment or the purchase price has to be paid on site. In the case of monthly debits, the SEPA direct debit mandate must also be signed. The counter employee then hands over the provisional ticket and confirmation of payment. The plastic card will be sent by post.
CAT, Flixbus and Vienna Airport Lines not included
However, the climate ticket has a catch for people who want to use it to travel to Vienna International Airport from Vienna. It is valid on the S7 express train line (S-Bahn / RegionalExpress) and on the Railjet trains, but not on the Vienna Airport Lines operated by Österreichische Postbus AG. The City Airport Train is also not a participant in the climate ticket. Put simply, this means that with the new network card, neither the CAT, which is currently out of service, nor the VAL may be used. Some tourist transports such as the Salamanderbahn are also not included in the climate ticket. It is still completely open whether the CAT or VAL will accept the new network card at a later point in time. Both services - albeit also used by locals - have traditionally been more incoming-heavy. Thus, the interest in participating could be kept within very narrow limits. As already mentioned: The normal bus lines and the rapid transit train are included and this also applies in the federal states. CAT and Vienna Airport Lines and Flixbus just don't.
Comment