Also mir persönlich macht das Krachen und die Feuerwerke zu Silvester Spaß, finde einmal pro Jahr können das auch alle Aushalten denen das nicht so gut gefällt.

Its never been "free" in vienna. But the one year ticket is quite cheap costing about 400 €, so many people have that ( including myself). I also prefer our system where you dont have to "check in" like in many other citys.