Image: VOLKER Weihbold
However, the passenger boom means that sometimes not all the comfort needs of all passengers can be met, regrets ÖBB boss Andreas Matthä. A new passenger record is expected this year.
The rapid increase in the number of passengers calls for the Federal Railways (ÖBB) “a bit”, admitted the CEO in the context of the study presentation on Monday to journalists’ inquiries. So far this year, passenger numbers are 20 percent higher than the record year of 2019. “We’re heading for a record again this year.”
At the same time, there are “almost monthly reports of delays from the supplier industry”. This would affect ordered new Railjets and Nightjets. “We have to bridge that at the moment,” said Matthä.
“It hurts me a bit, because our promise of comfort sometimes suffers,” said the track manager. “I’m sorry if we can’t quite meet the quality standards. It will get better.” By 2030, however, a total of 4.7 billion euros will be invested in new trains, Matthä reminded us. This will increase the seating capacity by 40 percent compared to today. In the spring, the new, long-awaited Railjets should go on rails.
Matthä calls for “true costs”
The TU scientist and main author of the study Günter Emberger sees the ÖBB as fundamentally fit for the future. Investments in infrastructure are important. Basically, he stated: “Among the mechanized means of land transport, the railway is the most promising.” There are many reasons for this, including the inclusivity of the railway, the use of energy, less land use and the low risk potential.
Of course, cars and trucks would remain for certain routes such as short-distance goods transport, garbage collection, emergency services and the like in the future and a certain infrastructure would be necessary for this. However, the role of these means of transport must be significantly reduced, according to Emberger. A ban on short-haul flights will “have to be discussed”. A speed of 100/80/30 would do a lot for the environment, safety and the time advantage of public transport. It is also about “true costs” between railways and roads.
Matthä also called for “true costs” once again. Truck traffic is highly subsidized and there needs to be a shift from road to rail.
“Where we know what to do, we have to do and implement it,” said Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) with a view to the study. Much can now be initiated and implemented “that will still be good in 100 years”. In combination with the last mile, even more is possible, said the politician. The last mile means the route from the train station to the actual destination. According to Matthä, this should be as comfortable as possible, “without the need for your own vehicle, which is 99 percent standing around anyway”.
“It’s all about setting the right course”
“We have to make public transport the most convenient, easiest and cheapest – simply the most logical – alternative for people,” Gewessler said. That is what the mobility plan and the so-called target network 2040 are all about, which will be presented by the end of the year. It is about the infrastructure of the future and what needs to be done for it by 2040. Gewessler spoke of expansion strategies with bundles of measures. “It’s about setting the right course.” The aim is more capacity with the same level of security.
When asked about a short-haul flight ban, Gewessler referred to the European dimension of this issue, which can only be solved at European level. In this country, the AUA no longer flies to Salzburg and Linz because the railway has been expanded. This also applies to the southern route, if you get from Vienna to Klagenfurt in two hours and 40 minutes. However, the difficult Semmering Tunnel and the Koralmbahn Tunnel still have to be completed. In the case of the second, there was at least the first trial passage for politicians and the media.
Source: Nachrichten
