An article from www.ots.at states that the mileage allowance in Austria is being raised from 42 cents to 50 cents. Many people feel that this increase is inadequate, as it is the first increase in over 16 years. MP Joachim Aigner, MFG Austria's federal party chairman, describes the increase as "pure rip-off" and calls for an adjustment to at least 80 cents.
According to Aigner, political decision-makers seem to have no connection with the reality of people's lives and are celebrating themselves for this small increase. For those who rely on driving, the mileage allowance remains inadequate. Aigner sums it up by saying: "An increase in the mileage allowance of just eight cents - that's too little to live on, but too much to die on."
The costs that must be covered by the official mileage rate are diverse. In addition to depreciation or loss of value, fuel and oil, maintenance and repairs due to ongoing operation and additional equipment such as winter tires or snow chains, there are also costs for the car radio, navigation device, taxes and fees, insurance (including comprehensive, passenger accident and legal expenses insurance), membership fees for various motoring clubs, financing costs as well as parking and toll fees.
The last increase in the mileage allowance took place in 2008. At that time, the amount rose from 39 to 42 cents, which was already considered too low at the time. If inflation is taken into account, the 42 cents currently corresponds to 66.3 cents as of June 2024. From the beginning of 2025, the amount will be increased to 50 cents, which is still well below Aigner's demands.
Aigner complains that there will probably be no further increases in the mileage allowance in the next ten years. This is an affront to all commuters. He calls for a reasonable increase to at least 80 cents, if not one euro. The current "increase" is twelve cents below the rate of inflation. For a mileage of 10,000 km per year, this would lead to additional costs of 1,200 euros.
The announcement of the increase in mileage allowance was received positively by the black employee representative ÖAAB. However, MP Joachim Aigner criticizes the ÖAAB's jubilant hue and accuses the political elite of having no connection with the real realities of people's lives.
It remains to be seen whether further adjustments to the mileage allowance will be made in the future and whether these will reflect the actual costs. But for many, the current increase from 42 to 50 cents remains a disappointing "pure rip-off".
Source: die-nachrichten.at
