Peter Amreich is alarmed and is fighting for an unlimited extension of commuter funding for 2022/2023
Graz (OTS) – “Time is running out, the temporary increase in the commuter allowance (plus 50%) and commuter euro (quadruple) will expire on June 30th, this improvement was introduced last year because of the sharp rise in inflation,” says Peter Amreich, chairman of the Styrian commuter initiative and board member of the Styrian Chamber of Labor (FCG). “The fuel prices, the purchase prices for vehicles, insurance and other costs for commuters are still extremely high, alarmed the Christian trade unionist, which is why we are calling on the federal government to extend the improved commuter flat rate in the long term.” There should also be an overall reform in the medium term the commuter promotion to make the system fairer and more ecological in the future, according to the chairman of the commuter initiative, Peter Amreich.
Deduction amount instead of allowance and KM – more precisely commuter euro
In the medium term, the commuter initiative wants to enter into negotiations with the government for an improved commuter euro. The current regulation of a lump sum by means of a commuter allowance favors higher earners. In the future, therefore, all commuters should receive the same commuter allowance for their way to work.
The commuter initiative intends to do this with the “Pendlereuro NEW” model, which is about calculating the commuter distance to the exact kilometer as a lump sum for commuters. For this reason, the ÖAAB-FCG parliamentary group introduced a model at the last Chamber of Labor plenary meeting in which the previous tax allowance is replaced by a distance-dependent commuter tax credit. This urgent application from Styria has meanwhile also been decided in the Federal Chamber of Labour.
Plus 200 euros eco bonus to the small commuter flat rate
In order to make the commuter allowance more ecological, those who receive a small commuter allowance – i.e. have the opportunity to use public transport to commute to work – should receive an eco-bonus of 200 euros a year if they actually use public transport, instead of driving to work. “Of course, this must be accompanied by the further expansion of public transport, a concern that we have been pursuing for a long time. Only then will it be possible for a further proportion of commuters to change trains,” concludes Peter Amreich.
Questions & contact:
Styrian commuter initiative
Chairman Ing. Peter Amreich
Tel.: 0664/6630387
