The Viennese are public transport emperors. But the pandemic changed mobility behavior. According to a survey, 13 percent currently avoid trams and buses. The Wiener Linien emphasize: “There is no reason to be afraid of a public transport.”
According to a current analysis by the Austrian Transport Club, based on figures from Statistics Austria from 2019, the Viennese are – unsurprisingly – the public transport champions nationwide. 93 percent of the 15-year-olds in the capital travel at least occasionally by bus, tram and co. Vorarlberg is far behind in second place with 73 percent. By the way, very few public transport drivers (40 percent) can be found in Burgenland.
More cars, more bikes
According to a recent survey by the mobility platform Bolt in Vienna and Lower Austria, however, the pandemic has changed the behavior of some with regard to public transport. 25 percent of the respondents said that this is the case. Almost a quarter now use their own car more often, twelve percent use a bicycle.
But: According to the survey, 13 percent now completely avoid public transport. Wiener Linien also confirm the changed mobility behavior. “With the first exit restrictions last year, there were up to 80 percent fewer passengers,” says a company spokesman. In the meantime, however, they are pleased that they are back with 80 percent of the passengers compared to the time before Corona.
503 million were invested this year
Nevertheless, of course, there are also no tourists who mainly buy the more expensive single tickets. Nevertheless, Wiener Linien is investing heavily: this year alone it is 503 million euros. A lot of money also comes from the city and federal government. The former subsidizes the public transport network with almost 700 million euros per year. The Viennese travel with an annual ticket for just one euro per day. It was sold a million times in 2020.
System is affordable, sets are safe
So is the system still affordable? “The city is committed to its public transport. All investments are a powerful climate protection precaution with direct added value for the economy ”, asserts Economic City Councilor Peter Hanke (SPÖ).
And safety is also guaranteed in the sets: “We have strict safety concepts, such as the mandatory mask requirement since the beginning of the pandemic. There is no reason to be afraid of a trip by public transport, ”assures Wiener Linien.