Vienna’s public transport operator Wiener Linien has introduced a new discounted ticket aimed specifically at ‘queer’ residents, drawing criticism from Austria’s Freedom Party (FPÖ). The so-called QueerCityPass allows self-styled non-heterosexual passengers unlimited access to Vienna’s public transport network for 24 hours at a price of €17.90.
The ticket is cheaper than several existing options. The Vienna Youth Ticket costs €19.60 and comes with significant restrictions, limiting travel to routes between home and school, training, or apprenticeship locations. In contrast, the QueerCityPass allows unrestricted travel across the entire network. The standard Vienna City Card, which offers 24-hour unlimited travel for the general public, costs €19, also more than the queer-specific ticket.
The FPÖ has strongly criticized the pricing structure. Vienna FPÖ group chairman Maximilian Krauss said the policy was unacceptable at a time when ticket prices are rising for most passengers. He argued that young people are being asked to pay more for fewer services, while other groups receive broader access at a lower cost. According to Krauss, the measure reflects misplaced priorities by the city government.
The FPÖ places responsibility on Vienna’s leadership, accusing Mayor Michael Ludwig’s administration of favoring symbolic identity-based policies while disadvantaging other residents within the fare system.
In December 2025, an exhibition at the Künstlerhaus sparked protests after depicting the Virgin Mary as a trans woman. The Christian Protection Agency described the artwork as a “deliberate attack on religion”, while the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) called for a review of public funding for the venue, arguing that taxpayers should not finance “tasteless” works.
