Police on site – Despite ticket: passengers were thrown off the train at night

Eva M made an adventurous and long journey home at the end of May. Firstly, her flight to Vienna was delayed by several hours, and luckily in this case a Railjet from the airport to the main station was also a few minutes late.

“I took the train at the last minute, I took the Nightjet 446 to Bregenz on the main line to get to St. Valentin,” says M. She did not have a seat reservation, but she did have a valid ticket in the form of her climate ticket . The train left, the next stop was Vienna Meidling.

Passengers without a reservation must disembark
“Without any prior announcement, the conductor, accompanied by several police officers, stormed the carriages and asked all passengers to leave the train without a reservation,” says M. “I tried to make it clear to the conductor that I did not have a reservation, but that I had a free had a seat. He still told me to come out immediately or I would be removed by the police.”

Stranded just before midnight
Together with what she estimated to be about 25 other passengers, she suddenly found herself on the platform shortly before midnight. M.: “All I had to do was call an Uber to take me to St. Pölten. My husband eventually picks me up there.” Still, she is shocked by the incident. So what had happened?

Escape routes blocked
According to ÖBB, the train was significantly overcrowded and the escape routes were blocked. That is why passengers without a reservation were asked several times via announcements at the main station and in Meidling to get off and transfer to the available buses. However, when they refused, the police were called. Eventually some passengers were persuaded to leave the train.

Always play it safe
“Train evacuation by police is very rare,” the spokesperson continued. For long-distance travel, he always recommends reserving a seat. And: “Passengers who need to leave the train can use the next connection.” Or replacement buses. But only if you know they exist.