VCÖ Criticism of Tripling the Commuter Euro

The commuter euro, an annual tax deduction, is to be increased to six euros per kilometer to compensate for the elimination of the climate bonus. The calculation is based on the distance between home and workplace. The VCÖ criticizes that this is not an adequate replacement for the climate bonus, as about one-third of CO2 emissions from private households are generated by heating, thus generating revenue from the CO2 tax.

VCÖ Criticizes Social Imbalance of Commuter Euro Tripling

"While the 20 percent with the lowest income will receive 20 million euros, the 20 percent with the highest income will receive 250 million euros, more than twelve times as much," criticized the mobility organization in a press release. The already existing gap between low and high earners will widen further with the tripling of the commuter euro, according to VCÖ expert Michael Schwendinger. The organization suggests savings in commuter subsidies for wealthy households, with the money instead being invested in the expansion of public transport. This way, the population could be "freed from their car dependency."

The commuter allowance also has weaknesses. Higher earners can claim more commuter allowance for the same work route than low earners, as it is a tax allowance. The VCÖ proposes converting the small commuter allowance into a benefit in the form of a regional climate ticket. After all, there is a lack of incentives in commuter subsidies to use public transport, bicycles, or carpooling, emphasized Schwendinger. The day before, the Greens had also criticized the commuter allowance as socially unjust and environmentally harmful.

(APA/Red)

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