The Austrian Federal Railways are adding 22 wagons to their fleet of couchette cars. This is not a matter of new acquisitions, but of converting classic seating carriages. These are to be put into operation in addition to the 33 Nightjet sets that have been ordered.

According to ÖBB, around 36 million euros will be invested in the night trains. The number of places in the couchette cars is to be reduced to four. The upper loungers are permanently installed, while the lower ones can also be used as seats during the day.

ÖBB General Director Andreas Matthä announced that the first modernized wagons will be used in domestic traffic between Vienna and Bregenz from December 12, 2021. A total of nine compartments with four berths each will then be available per car. Another area is intended for barrier-free travel. They also want to offer sockets and free WiFi internet on board.

Technical operations in Simmering need around four months per wagon. The modernized rolling stock is to be gradually put on the rails by the summer of 2022. ÖBB boss Matthä assumes a long-term investment, as wagons have a very long service life and are regularly brought up to the latest state of the art.