The Austrian Railways Framework Plan (ÖBB) foresees investments of 19 billion euros over the next five years. The Council of Ministers decided on Friday for the years 2023 to 2028, the responsible Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management announced on Saturday. It concerns the expansion of the rail infrastructure. In the framework plan for 2022 to 2027, this was 18.2 billion euros less.
As always, the 2023-2028 Framework Plan is about the continuation of ongoing projects, especially major ones. Other spearheads are a further expansion of the infrastructure for freight transport, station renewal to create accessibility, further electrification, expansion of local transport in metropolitan areas and digitization with a gradual introduction of the European train control system ETCS and remote control centers.
The Minister of Climate Protection responsible for transport, Leonore Gewessler (Greens), speaks of a continuation of the largest railway package in the history of the republic. She sees the investments as “an announcement in the fight against inflation, energy and climate crises. Because traveling by train is economical on your wallet, saves energy and protects the climate. Investments in rail therefore pay off two or three times over.”
- Die big projects are the Koralmbahn with the Koralmbahn tunnel between Styria and Carinthia and the Semmering Base Tunnel between Styria and Lower Austria on the Southern Railway. In the west, the Brenner Base Tunnel in Tyrol is being requisitioned. In the central area of Upper Austria between Linz and Wels, the Western Railway is extended to four tracks.
- I’m goods area the construction or modification of charging points should make the switch from road to rail more attractive. The demand for freight transport by rail is also expected to increase due to an amendment to the Waste Management Act.
- I’m local transport Investment is flowing into the main S-Bahn line in Vienna and its tributaries in the area. In Vorarlberg, a further expansion of regional transport Rheintal-Wallgau is on the agenda.
Tender for multiple batteries underway
As part of the electrification program, the Marchegger Ostbahn and Traisentalbahn will be electrified in the coming years. New vehicles with electric propulsion are also being purchased. The current tender for a framework contract for up to 120 battery railcars is to be completed in spring 2023, ÖBB boss Andreas Matthä announced a few days ago. The new vehicles will be the first ÖBB trains that can run in both electrified and non-electrified areas and run completely without fossil fuels.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
