From December 10, 2023, the private railway operator will initially run once a day between Vienna-Westbahnhof and Bregenz Hbf vice versa. In preparation for this, a set is currently performing in Vorarlberg.

At the start, the first train set is welcomed at Bregenz train station by the two managing directors Thomas Posch and Florian Kazalek as well as state governor Markus Wallner and state mobility councilor Daniel Zadra. “Expanding the western route to Vorarlberg has been our goal for a long time. In just under two weeks, the Westbahn will run daily from Bregenz to Vienna Westbahnhof and back. We still have a lot planned for the next two years on the route along the west-east axis to Vorarlberg. Our goal is to drive to Bregenz just as quickly as our competitors from December 2024 and still keep all eleven stops in Vorarlberg. This means that, despite the acceleration, there will still be a direct connection from Vorarlberg to the east of Austria for more than 200.000 people,” says Managing Director Posch.

Within Vorarlberg, the Westbahn will recognize climate tickets and the company's own tickets as well as those of the Vorarlberg transport association. “The Westbahn's extended offering to Bregenz brings the Vorarlberg population additional connections and, above all, more boarding options on the way to Vienna and back. This will significantly improve the quality of public transport in Vorarlberg,” said State Governor Markus Wallner (ÖVP).

From December 10, 2023, the first train will start at 05:10 a.m. towards Vienna Westbahnhof - the return journey will start at 15:08 p.m. to Vorarlberg. Thanks to the stops in Bregenz, Dornbirn, Hohenems, Altach, Götzis, Rankweil, Feldkirch, Frastanz, Nenzing, Bludenz and Langen am Arlberg, a total of half of Vorarlberg's population now has direct access along the west-east axis. “Travelling by train is booming, not least due to the introduction of the climate ticket. Every kilometer that we travel by train rather than by car or plane contributes to achieving our climate goals. In this respect, I am very pleased that the Western Railway is now running between Bregenz and Vienna. We can’t have enough public transport connections,” said State Mobility Councilor Daniel Zadra.

An increase has already been announced for 2024

“We will offer the Vorarlberg population additional and more pleasant boarding options on their journey east. We want to double our offer at the end of 2024 with another daytime connection and shorten the journey time by around an hour. Our modern Kiss double-decker trains stand for short stopping times, high quality and comfortable travel and offer more than 500 leather seats in three classes, a further 20 bicycle parking spaces and a power socket in every seat. We are inviting the Vorarlberg population tomorrow under the motto 'All aboard' to get to know the Westbahn,” says managing director Florian Kazalek. 

The Vorarlberg population will be invited to free rides on the first Westbahn train between Bregenz and Feldkirch on November 25, 2023. The trains will depart from Bregenz at approximately 10:03 a.m. and 14:03 p.m. and from Feldkirch at approximately 10:55 a.m. and 14:55 p.m.