For almost a decade there has not been a direct train connection between Lienz and Innsbruck. This was shifted to the road in 2013 and has since been offered with buses. Now there is a chance that there could be a comeback.

This time, however, it should not be a purely domestic connection, because according to the ORF, the Austrian Federal Railways are considering running an international connection between Vienna and Zurich via Lienz and Innsbruck. This would have the side effect that East Tyrol and the provincial capital of Tyrol would be connected to each other again without having to change trains.

The bus connection between the two cities currently offered as part of the VVT ​​is considered suboptimal by many Tyroleans. The direct connection by rail was discontinued in 2013 amid protests from local politicians and citizens. The Semmering Base Tunnel and the Koralm Tunnel are now giving rise to serious hopes of a comeback.

Specifically, ÖBB is considering running individual Vienna-Zurich connections via Lienz and Innsbruck. With the opening of the two tunnels referred to in the previous paragraph, the travel time would be comparable to that achieved on the current route. However, it should also be up to politicians to set the course accordingly. In any case, according to ORF, the project should be included in the Tyrolean coalition agreement between ÖVP and SPÖ. Talks have also already started with South Tyrol, which belongs to Italy.

However, a short-term start of the possible new rail connection is not to be expected. The first non-stop train could roll in five years at the earliest, according to circles of the Austrian Federal Railways. The Tyrolean politicians are optimistic, however, because the international connection could offer more options than the regional trains that were discontinued almost a decade ago.