In a parking lot in Upper Austria

Skiers annoyed by 70-euro parking ticket

It costs eight euros to park your car at the Trauneck parking lot for a day.(Bild: Marion Hörmandinger)

Due to the enormous rush to the Feuerkogel ski resort near Ebensee (Upper Austria), drivers were diverted to another parking lot last weekend. But what some of them apparently didn't know was that they had to pay to park there since this year. There were heavy fines.

"That's downright cheeky! We were directed to the parking lot, and in the afternoon we had a parking ticket! Now we have to pay 70 euros" - a Mühlviertel resident who went skiing on the Feuerkogel on Saturday is furious. Like around 1300 other winter sports fans.

Rerouted to another parking lot
And as the parking spaces at the valley station were quickly full, the cars of the athletes arriving later were diverted to the Trauneck parking lot and taken to the cable car by shuttle bus. So far, so good. But since this year, the Trauneck parking lot, which is also used for church days and other activities, is subject to a charge. Eight euros per day and car are due.

"I thought that because we were sent there, we didn't have to pay," the 37-year-old Freistädter argued to the "Krone" newspaper. And he wasn't the only one. "We have already received around 20 inquiries," confirmed Ebensee Mayor Sabine Promberger, who immediately got on the phone to the people responsible for the cable car and parking space administration.

The obligation to pay at the Trauneck parking lot remains in place, but we will try to find solutions for the one day where there was confusion.

Sabine Promberger, Bürgermeisterin von Ebensee

Reference to charges
There were no tickets on Sunday for the time being, but from now on, drivers who are diverted to the parking lot - apart from the signs that are already in place there - will be reminded of the fee again to avoid further trouble. "However, the obligation to pay the fee remains, it should also have a steering effect, as should the amount of the fine," says Promberger.

Trying to be fair
At least for those who received a ticket last Saturday, she promises that "an amicable agreement" and "goodwill" will be sought, as apparently not all drivers were aware that they would have to pay if they were diverted here. But now there are no more excuses.