The head of energy sector watchdog E-Control has disclosed his plans for fairer gas prices. Walter Boltz told the Kurier today (Thurs) that a change of the current gas market law was planned for the beginning of next year. He said this step would allow Austrian firms to acquire transit gas. Boltz said it was […]
One of Vienna’s most prestigious hotels has a new owner. Austrian businessman Michael Tojner forked out 50 million Euros to snatch up the Vienna Intercontinental, business newspapers disclosed today (Fri). The deal will be finalised in May, according to Die Presse which reports that Tojner – a Vienna-based investor – has not yet decided about […]
The Viennese government has presented plans for a new Bike City housing project. The housing construction initiative for Liesing district resembles buildings in Leopoldstadt district and Vienna-Floridsdorf. Residents of the Bike City in Vienna-Leopoldstadt are allowed to own cars while people living on such an estate in Floridsdorf had to sign a declaration declaring they […]
The Labour Chamber (AK) has criticised real estate managers over sharp price hikes. The organisation said yesterday (Weds) that rents for flats rose by 34.5 per cent on average between 2001 and 2010 while the inflation climbed by just 21 per cent at the same time. AK officials called on property dealers to stop charging […]
Three leading electricity providers have reduced their prices. The Austrian Energy Alliance – the distribution agency of Vienna’s Wien Energie, Lower Austrian company EVN AG and Eisenstadt-based BEWAG – said yesterday (Weds) it reduced the price for one kilowatt hour (KWh) of electricity by 3.3 per cent at the beginning of this month. The decrease […]
Vienna has retained its reputation as the most liveable city in the world in a global consulting group’s latest investigation. Mercer said today (Tues) the Austrian capital made first place in its Quality of Living Survey 2011. Zurich in neighbouring Switzerland remains in second place followed by Auckland, New Zealand, and Munich, Germany. Dusseldorf in […]
One of Austria’s biggest breweries decided to increase its consumer prices. Ottakringer – Vienna’s major beer firm – said today (Tues) it would charge three to five per cent more for its products. The price hikes will be felt by shoppers from March, according to business experts. A spokesman for the company claimed that “all […]
Federal Railways (ÖBB) has defended the introduction of crash prices. A spokeswoman for the company said today (Fri) criticism of the latest move was “incomprehensible” since the customers would eventually benefit from it. ÖBB caused a stir by presenting a programme featuring 25,000 tickets for 15 Euros each for its western railway link connecting Vienna […]
The Viennese government has been accused of “ripping off” residents by increasing parking fees. Viennese Green Party boss Maria Vassilakou said yesterday (Weds) leaving a car in the city for one hour would cost two Euros from March 2012 instead of 1.20 Euros. Thirty minutes of parking will cost one Euro instead of 60 Eurocent. […]
Some of the most popular foodstuffs became significantly more expensive last month. Statistik Austria said yesterday (Weds) that dairy products became seven per cent more expensive from October 2010 to the same month of this year. Statisticians also consider eggs in this price group. The price of bread and meat rose by four per cent. […]