No austerity at the expense of the youth – bring back the free climate ticket!

As of July 1, 2024, an important milestone was reached: for the first time, all 18-year-olds in Austria were able to apply for a free KlimaTicket valid for an entire year. This measure was more than just a political project – it was a concrete step toward a fairer, more climate-friendly, and forward-looking mobility policy. It rewarded environmentally conscious behavior, gave young people access to public transport – regardless of their parents’ income – and promoted social participation across regional and social boundaries.
But now – without any public debate – this offer was quietly discontinued as of April 19, 2025. The cancellation came as part of so-called “austerity measures,” even though the actual cost of the KlimaTicket for 18-year-olds was only around 15 million euros – a vanishingly small amount compared to the entire federal budget.
And yet, this ticket had a significant impact:

• It provided thousands of young people with low-barrier access to buses and trains – for many, it was their first opportunity to travel independently and freely.
• It served as a motivation for climate-friendly behavior during a formative phase of life, when mobility habits are established.
• It was a powerful political signal that young people are seen and taken seriously – as part of the solution to the climate crisis, not as a burden.

The decision to now cut this project sends the opposite message. It is precisely the generation that is already facing the climate crisis, the pandemic, rising costs, and increasing uncertainty on all levels that is being ignored once again. Instead of offering hope, trust is being eroded.
We say: Austerity must not come at the expense of young people and the climate.
Mobility is about much more than just getting from A to B – it means freedom, access to education and employment, participation in society and culture. The free KlimaTicket was a small but meaningful step in that direction.
Let’s bring it back. For the youth. For the climate. For a just future.