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🇦🇹 Austria /Economy & Trade

Working in the toll booth: 'On Fridays, someone always comes and brings a box of Merci chocolates'

From Der Standard · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Carmen Pichler has worked as a toll collector at the Bosruck Mautstelle in Styria for eight years.
  • She describes the challenging conditions, including extreme heat in the booth, and how she manages difficult interactions with drivers.
  • Pichler notes that while her workplace is surrounded by nature, the highway itself cuts through the landscape.

Carmen Pichler has spent eight years collecting tolls at the Bosruck Mautstelle in Styria, Austria. Her workspace, situated amidst the natural beauty of the region, is bisected by the A9 highway, a grey ribbon cutting through the green landscape.

Working in the toll booth presents unique challenges, including extreme heat within the confined space. Pichler has developed strategies for handling the pressure and managing interactions with drivers, some of whom may be agitated. Despite the demanding nature of the job, she has remained at the post for nearly a decade.

Pichler's role involves greeting motorists and collecting the toll for the Bosrucktunnel, a fee that currently stands at seven euros. Her daily routine is a blend of interacting with the public and managing the operational aspects of the toll collection system, all while situated in a distinctive natural environment.

On Fridays, someone always comes and brings a box of Merci chocolates.

— Carmen PichlerPichler shares a small detail about the positive interactions she sometimes experiences at her job.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Der Standard in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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