New regulations – ÖBB changes tickets for IDPs from Ukraine

However, this ticket is only valid for 24 hours from the date of issue for a journey to Austria or to border stations in the direction of Germany, Switzerland or Italy in 2nd class with ÖBB trains. In this way, the ÖBB continues to ensure that the first displaced persons from Ukraine with their families can reach a safe place in Austria or a neighboring country, reports Wednesday in a broadcast.

Exit in trains
Further details: First arrivals are issued by train conductors on these trains to Vienna. If a displaced person does not find staff on the train or does not travel to Austria by train, a one-time ticket will only be issued at the train stations of Vienna Central Station (in the “ÖBB Kund:innenservice.direkt” at the entrance Sonnwendgasse station) and Graz Central Station (in the ÖBB Travel Center).

The new regulation will be implemented in the same way as other European railways commissioned by the federal government: “It was the order of the day for us to help people for as long as necessary. Since the beginning of the war, people have been fleeing Ukraine and coming them here in Austria. We want to continue to ensure that these displaced people can get to their refuge safely,” said Sabine Stock, board member of ÖBB passenger transport.

First step
Incidentally, the new arrangement has been agreed with the refugee coordinator: “In a first step, a fair solution has been found with the ‘First Arrival Ukraine Ticket’ that enables the displaced persons to travel safely. Given the high inflation and tense financial developments in Austria and Europe, the choice for this reduced variant is understandable and understandable,” said refugee coordinator Andreas Achrainer.

In a statement, Achrainer also pointed out that the introduction of this ticket could only be a first step in the right direction. “We need to work with political leaders and public transport providers on solutions that guarantee participation in regional, public mobility for needy Ukrainian displaced persons who are permanently in Austria. Otherwise, successful integration into society and the labor market is impossible.” In this regard, he pointed out that Ukrainian displaced persons who are in an organized basic service quarter receive only EUR 40 per month as basic service allowance.

Wiener Linien announced that it would continue to follow the ÖBB model in the future. According to this, IDPs can also travel within Vienna within 24 hours of the ticket’s validity – for example from the train station to an emergency shelter. This arrangement will initially apply until the end of the year. For further necessary journeys, single tickets are issued in the Vienna emergency room and in the arrival center in Vienna.

Information campaign for refugees in Ukrainian
The broadcast of the “Rathauskorrespondenz” also mentioned that the efforts of the Federal Refugee Coordinator to find a uniform solution for the whole of Austria for the mobility of refugees at low prices had so far been unsuccessful. Vienna has made preparations to make such an offer in a timely manner and demands that monthly tickets for refugees can be settled with the Ministry of the Interior through the basic service. “Last but not least, this would significantly reduce the administrative effort, because until now only single tickets for urgent trips (e.g. to official appointments) can be invoiced afterwards,” says the city.

The ÖBB meanwhile announced an information campaign: In order to inform displaced Ukrainians sufficiently and in good time about the new developments, there will be corresponding information in Ukrainian and German in the ÖBB travel centers and on the trains.