Vienna discontinues discounted single-trip tickets for seniors

The discontinuation of discounted single-trip tickets for seniors by Wiener Linien has reignited debate in Vienna. As of January 1, 2026, individuals aged 65 and older no longer have access to the reduced 1.50 Euro single fare. Instead, they must pay the regular tariff, which is 3.00 Euro for digital tickets and 3.20 Euro for paper tickets.

Data revealed following a legal dispute shows the high demand for the previous offer: approximately 12.8 million discounted senior single tickets were sold between 2022 and 2025, with nearly 3.7 million sold in 2025 alone.

Ingrid Korosec of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) has criticized the move, arguing that the savings are insignificant for budget restructuring but represent a massive increase in mobility costs for elderly residents. Wiener Linien defended the new structure, stating it aims to provide more relief to passengers who use the public transport network regularly. The transit provider noted that discounted annual passes remain available for seniors, costing approximately 294 to 300 Euro per year.