Vienna lowers prices for district heating

Vienna is cutting prices for district heating yet another time. The reason for this is a recommendation by the city’s Fairness Commission, which last examined and evaluated the cost development, as the office of Finance City Councilor Peter Hanke (SPÖ) announced on Monday. The commission had been set up after Wien Energie had roughly doubled prices the previous year, prompting massive criticism. Since then, reductions have already been announced twice. Now, there is to be a third relief step. According to Hanke, the commission, headed by the lawyer Walter Barfuß,…

Read More

The weather remains mild but becomes increasingly unsettled

Meteorologists at Geosphere Austria also forecast mild weather for the new week in a release on Sunday, although it is expected to become increasingly unsettled. Weather ViennaMonday will start in some inner Alpine basins and valleys, as well as in the eastern lowlands and on the eastern edge of the Alps, with fog or high fog of varying persistence. Afterwards, however, the sun will shine for the most part. The weather in the mountains will be sunny and dry in the morning. Towards evening, the first denser clouds will move…

Read More

Wiener Reparaturbon available again

The Wiener Reparaturbon is available again today after successful campaigns and high demand in previous years. High demand for ReparaturbonWith the Wiener Reparaturbon, estimates or repairs of products that are not electrical appliances are up to 50 percent cheaper, with a maximum discount of 100 euros. Repair of electrical appliances excluded with Wiener ReparaturbonItems range from handbags, toys and watches to bicycles and furniture. Services such as knife sharpening, trouser mending and repairs to musical instruments can also be claimed from businesses in the repair network. This voucher is supplemented…

Read More

New law: Pharmacies may stay open until 9 p.m. in the future

The approximately 1,400 pharmacies in Austria will be allowed to stay open longer starting in January 2024 and be allowed to offer additional services. This is provided for in the amendment to the Pharmacy Act, which was sent for review by the Ministry of Health on Friday. It is to come into force at the beginning of 2024. It is the first adjustment to the legal framework since 1984. Probably the most important innovation is the significant expansion of the permitted opening hours, which will be adapted to those in…

Read More

National Bank: Inflation makes Austrians poorer

Although the net disposable income of Austrians rose by 10.9 percent in nominal terms to 250.3 billion euros last year, it only increased by 3.3 percent in real terms. Due to high inflation, the financial assets of private households have also lost significant value in real terms, according to calculations by the National Bank, namely by 10 percent in 2022 and by another 7 percent in the first half of 2023. “High inflation and limited potential returns on savings products recently caused households to lose wealth in real terms,” Johannes…

Read More

So cold in Austria on Wednesday

Autumn is making its way into Austria. While the temperatures in the afternoon, thanks to Föhn, rose to a pleasant 20 degrees, Wednesday began cold and frosty in many places. Schwarzau im Freiwald (Lower Austria) experienced a bitterly cold minus 6.5 degrees. But also in the big cities, it was freezing in the morning: in Salzburg, even minus temperatures were measured for the first time this autumn. It will get warmer again.Some clouds will move through in the west and southwest on Wednesday, but there will be sunny spells in…

Read More

All 18-year-olds will receive free climate ticket in future

In Austria, Young people will receive the Austria-wide climate ticket on their 18th birthday in 2024. They will then be able to use public transport free of charge for one year. This is what the government has provided for in the new budget. The aim is to encourage even more people to use public transport. From their 18th birthday, young adults have three years to take advantage of the free climate ticket. One hundred twenty million euros per year have been budgeted for this. The Klimaticket is an annual ticket…

Read More

Up to 150 km/h: hurricane warning for parts of Austria

Geosphere Austria (formerly ZAMG) has issued a storm warning for western Austria. With a focus from Vorarlberg to the eastern Tauern, foehn gusts of 60 to 80 km/h are expected; in typical foehn corridors, up to 100 km/h are possible. On the mountains, the wind partly reaches hurricane force; gusts can reach up to 150 km/h. According to ZAMG, the following possible effects may occur in the warning areas: Branches may fall, and objects may be whirled around.Increased risk of accidents due to solid crosswinds on bridges and exposed roadways,…

Read More

Winter tires mandatory again as of Nov. 1

As of November 1, the situational winter equipment obligation applies again in Austria. Even though the temperatures are still mild in autumn, booking an appointment to change your tires is already advisable. “If it comes to a sudden onset of winter, the workshops are often booked up for weeks,” said ÖAMTC technician Steffan Kerbl. At higher altitudes or at night, it can be sensitively cold even in October, as users of winter tires are at an advantage, according to Kerbl. Before changing, the old tires should be checked, however. “By…

Read More