Austrian Cities Federation seeks sustainable funding for public transport

The Austrian Cities Federation (Städtebund) is calling on the federal government to ensure long-term financing for urban public transport. During a transport committee meeting in Vienna, officials highlighted that the subsidy requirements for municipal public transit have more than doubled between 2020 and 2025, driven by a rapid increase in passenger numbers.

Michael Kögl, chairman of the transport committee, noted that achieving national greenhouse gas emission targets depends heavily on a successful urban mobility transition. Judith Schwentner, deputy chair of the committee, emphasized the need for planning security comparable to that provided to national entities like ASFINAG and ÖBB to ensure buses and trams remain viable alternatives to cars.

The federation is requesting discussions with the federal government ahead of the next Financial Equalization Act (FAG) negotiations to secure the future of urban mobility networks.