Yesterday, ÖBB boss Andreas Matthä spoke of a “summer of the century” in long-distance transport at the presentation of the Europe-wide train timetable changes. While the number of passengers was still declining at the beginning of the year due to corona, in June, July and August 12.22 million passengers were counted, according to the ÖBB boss, more than ever before in long-distance transport. Compared to 2020, which was particularly marked by the corona pandemic, the number of passengers has doubled.
According to Matthä, the only negative aftertaste was the numerous train clearances that had occurred due to the sudden increase in passengers at the beginning of the summer. “I would like to apologize for that. But there was no fundamental capacity problem,” said Matthä.
In local transport, on the other hand, the record figures from 2019 could not be reached this year. The minus here is about ten percent compared to the year before the corona virus.
Night train to Genoa
The Federal Railways will invest 4.1 billion euros by 2030 to increase capacity in long-distance traffic and also to make new Railjets available. “In local and long-distance transport, new, modern trains will contribute to more comfortable travel, additional connections will create more frequent intervals and improve the offer for both commuters and tourists,” said Matthä. For example, night trains from Vienna and Munich, which previously ended in Milan, are to go to Genoa in the future.
In addition to long-distance travel, some state capitals are also to be better connected at the weekend with new early and late connections.
Which timetable changes affect Upper Austria will probably be announced in mid-November, said ÖBB spokesman Klaus Baumgartner yesterday when asked by OÖN: “ÖBB is working here as a co-service provider with the Upper Austrian transport association. The exact plans for regional transport in Upper Austria will therefore be announced together at a press conference.”
Tickets are 3.9 percent more expensive
With the timetable change on December 11, the ÖBB will also increase the ticket prices due to the high energy costs: In future, anyone who buys a ticket for second class from Vienna to Salzburg on the day of departure will now pay an average of EUR 2.20 instead of EUR 56.60 – so about 3.9 percent – more.
Source: Nachrichten
