The private Westbahn is on track for expansion. From mid-December, the timetable will include 20 percent more train journeys. The railway company offers more connections to the Ländle and a night train to Salzburg and runs to Stuttgart for the first time.
Recently there has been talk of expansion plans to the east and south at the Westbahn, but yesterday the private railway company announced an expansion to the west. Vorarlberg and Baden-Württemberg, Germany, will be easier to reach from Vienna in the future.
In the future you will drive to Bregenz in 7 hours and 10 minutes, an hour faster than before. This new Vienna-Bregenz train set will also run to Lindau. “In this way we connect the Lake Constance region directly with eastern Austria,” says Westbahn boss Thomas Posch. The fact that Lindau is located in Germany is not a problem for climate card holders; You do not have to pay extra for the few minutes on German soil.
By train from Vienna to Legoland
It also continues west within Germany. People have been traveling to Munich since the end of 2022. “From December 15, we will continue via Augsburg, Günzburg and Ulm to Stuttgart for the first time,” says Posch. The German Legoland is located in Günzburg and families are addressed here. Tickets to Stuttgart are available at competitive prices starting from 28.99 euros. This route is initially not profitable, but should become so within a maximum of three years. In Munich this was achieved much more quickly. Interest is currently very high and bookings are exceeding expectations.
The timetable will also be expanded and shortened on existing routes. In Tyrol you can now reach the Zillertal (Jenbach), in Salzburg two trains will be extended to St. Johann im Pongau. The aim is also to appeal to winter tourists who decide to travel by car instead of taking the train to the ski week. Bad news, however, for the residents of the Tyrolean town of Telfs. It is no longer used in long-distance traffic. A regional express train disrupts the timetable, making stopping no longer possible.
There is also an innovation on the main route between Vienna and Salzburg. From mid-December a train runs after midnight. This means you will arrive in Salzburg at 2:42 am. The offer is aimed at those who want to spend an evening in Vienna without having to stay overnight or drive afterwards.
Westbahn’s turnover and profit are increasing
There was less positive news recently after the flood disaster in September. ÖBB and Westbahn then recognized each other’s tickets. Posch calls it a small ‘dent’ in the result. In general, the Westbahn is currently developing well, after many difficult years. Both profit and turnover in the current financial year are expected to be higher than the previous one.
New trains would also be needed for a further extension of the timetable. With the timetable presented, we are now “on track”. The director does not rule out further expansion in Germany; This is also possible in the southern Austrian states.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
