All against the KPÖ

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Travel on streetcars in Graz will become more expensive again in July.

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Public transport in Styria is becoming more expensive again. A fact that is causing a stir in Graz City Hall in particular. In particular, the fact that the climate ticket in the provincial capital is to cost a whopping 51 euros more than before is incomprehensible to many. The united opposition and even the red and green government partners in the person of KPÖ finance councillor Manfred Eber have identified the culprit.

The KPÖ of all parties has already increased sewer, waste and parking charges in the Mur metropolis several times. Now they also want to raise the price of public transport tickets once again. Some of these were already drastically increased last year - for example, the popular block of ten tickets now costs 24 euros, an increase of 2.20 euros, while the hourly ticket now costs 3 euros. But from July 1, it is now set to become even more expensive.

Graz City Councillor for Finance Manfred Eber (KPÖ) is (once again) under fire.

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

But first things first: Negotiations are currently underway to adjust public transport fares in Styria. The proposal of the Styrian Transport Association is now on the table. According to reports, it recommends an adjustment of 7.9 percent based on the consumer price index (CPI).

This would mean a price of €499 for the climate ticket (instead of the current €468). This is undoubtedly still an attractive price, but less so for the transport companies, which would earn more with other ticket tariffs (such as weekly or monthly tickets).

The new public transport prices

Hourly ticket: €3.10 (previously €3)

24-hour ticket: €6.80 (previously €6.40)

Block of 10: 25.20 euros (24 €)

Weekly ticket: 19,50 Euro (18,30 €)

Monthly ticket : 64,70 Euro (60,80 €)

Climate ticket Styria: 519 euros*

*still under negotiation

Price increase from July 1 (not yet fixed)

Which is why Graz does not want to follow the recommendation of the transport association and wants to raise the price of the climate ticket to 519 euros, which would mean an increase of a whopping 51 euros. A fact that is, of course, a feast for the united city hall opposition. From FPÖ city party chairman Axel Kassegger to KFG chairman Alexis Pascuttini and Neos municipal councillor Philipp Pointner - they all more or less accuse the KPÖ of breaking its word, as they were happy to campaign for votes with a freeze on fees during the election campaign. ÖVP city councillor Kurt Hohensinner also takes the same line: "Not only are the costs already rising noticeably due to inflation, but City Councillor for Finance Manfred Eber wants to willfully increase the price even further - even though Kahr and the KPÖ promised exactly the opposite during the election campaign."

Greens irritated by KPÖ
This criticism was probably to be expected, but the fact that the Green coalition partner is now also not happy about the KPÖ's proposal is unusual and has not been seen in this form in the previous legislative period. Club chairman Karl Dreisiebner expressed his "astonishment and irritation" on social media. "From my point of view, there was no communication about these plans within the coalition," he shakes his head in an interview with the "Krone" newspaper. "Regular customers should get a bonus and not a penalty," he says, alluding to the much higher percentage price increase for the climate ticket compared to the hourly ticket. An increase to 519 euros is simply not feasible for him, despite taking all factors into account (inflation, increased salaries, etc.).

Karl Dreisiebner (Graz Greens)

(Bild: Jürgen Radspieler)

The responsible traffic officer and deputy governor Anton Lang (SPÖ) also had clear words for City Councillor Manfred Eber: "My kind of politics is reliable and serious. That is why I am very irritated that the City of Graz is not sticking to personal agreements." He referred to a personal conversation with Eber in which they had just agreed on a price of 499 euros for the climate ticket. "Using the tariff negotiations to generate more money for the city instead of ensuring that the climate ticket remains affordable in the future is unacceptable to me." Especially as the state is contributing an impressive 40 million euros to new streetcar lines for the first time ever.

Deputy Governor Anton Lang (SPÖ).

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Eber feels unfairly treated
Eber himself announced on Tuesday afternoon that he now apparently sees a viable option with a price of 499 euros. However, he would like to see Graz treated equally. After all, the Mürztal and Leoben public transport companies, as well as ÖBB, are much more accommodating with the financial compensation for the climate ticket. After all, half of the 80,000 climate tickets in Styria are sold in Graz.