Styria in Motion: When Cable Cars and Public Transport Meet at the Summit

In Styria, mountain exploration begins long before setting foot on the trail. Under the motto "On the leisure route through Styria".

The collaboration between the Styrian Transport Association and the 19 cable car companies operating in summer provides access to high-altitude destinations without needing a car, freeing us from the associated inconveniences.

Trains and buses connect directly to the valleys from which the lifts depart. Once at altitude, the day can range from a leisurely hike to a more ambitious ascent. There is also scope for cross-country skiing, with a key advantage over driving: there's no need to return to the starting point.

Leisure time fostering new habits

The Styrian public transport network has been designed to connect cities and schools, as well as to facilitate outdoor activities and local tourism. "We have made recreational transport a third pillar, alongside school and commuter travel," states councillor Claudia Holzer, convinced that leisure is the best option for trying new routes, modes, and ways of getting around.

On weekends and public holidays, the Styrian leisure ticket allows travel throughout the region for just 14 euros. This initiative aims to facilitate access to the mountains and many other places of interest without relying on a car.

Cable cars are not merely a means to reach snow; they are an essential part of mountain tourism in Austria, even in summer. According to industry data, up to 15% of the annual revenue for lift companies now comes during the summer season.

"Hiking, cycling, family activities, unique views... The mountains offer it all," states Daniel Berchthaller, director of Reiteralm Bergbahnen. Emphasizing the importance of sustainability, Berchthaller reminds us that cable cars already operate on electric power. Now, combined with an equally electrified public transport network, the visit becomes even more environmentally friendly.

In Styria, the plan no longer begins at the valley access point. It starts much earlier when boarding the train with friends, taking a bus with family, discovering that the journey itself is part of the destination. And that reaching the summit is not only possible but also comfortable and environmentally clean.