In 2024, The Economist named Vienna the "most liveable city in the world," with public transport quality being a key factor in the Austrian capital’s success. Among 83 European cities assessed, Vienna stood out for its exemplary transport system. The city, home to two million residents, sees nearly half its population holding a public transport pass.

Speaking to Euronews, Josef Taucher, a city councillor from the Social Democratic Party, highlighted the affordability of public transport: an annual ticket costs just €365—equivalent to one euro a day—and this price has remained unchanged since 2012. "This has a massive impact on climate protection," Taucher stated.

City statistics reveal three in ten Viennese use public transport, while more than a third walk to work. Only a quarter of residents rely on cars for daily commuting. Notably, the high number of people walking to work is linked to the fact that 78% of Vienna's population lives in rental accommodation, often provided by the city, allowing them the flexibility to move closer to their workplaces and minimise commuting time.

This level of public transport efficiency ensures that those who rely on it can travel comfortably. A recent survey showed a 91% satisfaction rate with public transport among Vienna’s residents, the highest rating among 83 European cities surveyed.

Vienna's transport authorities strongly emphasise understanding the psychological factors that influence travel choices.

Alexandra Reinagl, the CEO of Wiener Linien, the company responsible for managing the city's transport network, explained: "We added a few years ago, shared services such as shared bikes and shared electric cars to have an answer for the last and the first mile. You have to avoid people using their private cars even for a few metres because once they are in the car, they stay in the car."

The last and first mile, in this context, refers to "the final leg of a user’s journey when there are fewer options for public transport", according to Euronews.

Source: Euronews Green