“Getting inked for free rides: Austria’s generous offer to commuters”
Austria, the land of Mozart, schnitzel, and now, free public transportation for an entire year. And what’s the catch, you ask? Oh, nothing much, just getting a permanent tattoo on your body.
Yes, you heard it right. In an effort to encourage eco-friendly means of commuting, Austria has come up with a genius idea. Get a tattoo of the Vienna city emblem or any other design related to public transportation, and you get to ride all buses, trams, and subways for free for a year.
The offer was initially targeted at the youth, hoping to attract them to leave their cars at home and use public transportation instead. However, people of all ages have jumped on the bandwagon, eagerly queuing up outside tattoo parlors to get their free ride pass.
We spoke to one of the lucky ones, a 60-year-old retiree, who got a tattoo of a bus with the caption “Onwards to adventure”. “I never thought I’d be getting inked at this age,” she chuckled. “But when I heard about this offer, I thought, why not? It’s not like I have anything else to lose.”
Though the initiative has received mixed reactions, it has undeniably boosted the number of public transportation users. The government hopes that this will lead to a reduction in traffic congestion and air pollution. “We want to take a step towards a greener tomorrow,” said the director of the public transportation department.
But environmentalists have criticized the move, calling it a publicity stunt. “Offering free rides to people who get tattoos is hardly going to solve the climate crisis,” said a member of Greenpeace. “If the government really wants to make a difference, they should invest in renewable energy sources and create better cycling infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, tattoo artists have seen a surge in customers, some of whom are eagerly showing off their new ink on social media. “It’s great to see people getting excited about public transportation,” said a local artist. “I’ve never had so many requests for the Vienna emblem before!”
For those who are hesitant about committing to a permanent design, there’s an option to get a temporary tattoo for a month’s worth of free rides. But let’s face it, where’s the fun in that?
So, would you get a tattoo for free rides? Or would you rather stick to your gas guzzling car? Let us know in the comments below.
