Westbahn calls for the ÖBB infrastructure to be split off

Westbahn Stadler Kiss III (Photo: Robert Spohr).
Westbahn Stadler Kiss III (Photo: Robert Spohr).

Westbahn calls for the ÖBB infrastructure to be split off

Westbahn Stadler Kiss III (Photo: Robert Spohr).
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The private railway company Westbahn criticizes that in Austria the railway infrastructure is located at the ÖBB and thus companies whose employees do not want to take part in strikes are also affected. The transfer of the infrastructure to a state authority is demanded and reference is made to the example of Sweden.

Apart from a few exceptions, the Austrian railway infrastructure is owned and operated by ÖBB Infrastructure AG. This also includes the transport service providers, signal boxes and other activities that are absolutely necessary for rail traffic. A few branch lines are owned or managed by other providers.

The Westbahn criticizes that one cannot drive because of the Vida railway strike, even though many employees apparently do not want to take part in the industrial action. Since the ÖBB infrastructure is on strike, the federal railways cannot provide essential services to private providers either. In a broadcast, Westbahn demands that the railway infrastructure be separated from the ÖBB Group. In the future, a state authority will be responsible for planning, expansion and maintenance as well as traffic control of railway operations. As a prime example, reference is made to Sweden, where this was already implemented in 2010.

For many years, the European Union has stipulated that the infrastructure and operational operations of the state railways must be separate. This is intended to make access easier for private providers. However, the only thing that has changed in most EU countries is that there are two different legal entities that still belong to the state railway. Only Sweden has made a clear separation.

In a broadcast, the Westbahn does not believe in privatizing the infrastructure. Managing Director Florian Kazalek explains: "One thing is clear: the infrastructure must remain in state hands so that the existing know-how, the necessary financial strength and long-term stability ensure that the network can be set up and expanded for use by the operators".

Co-CEO Thomas Posch adds: “However, we find it unacceptable that WESTbahn customers are automatically harmed by the competitor's strike maintained, even if the social partners negotiate hard. Situations like those that train passengers will have to prepare for tomorrow can be avoided in the future by providing infrastructure by a state authority, independent of ÖBB. A discussion about this is just starting in Germany, which we should also face up to in Austria.”

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Editor of this article:

René Steuer is an editor at Aviation.Direct and specializes in tourism and regional aviation. Before that, he worked for AviationNetOnline (formerly Austrian Aviation Net), among others.
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René Steuer is an editor at Aviation.Direct and specializes in tourism and regional aviation. Before that, he worked for AviationNetOnline (formerly Austrian Aviation Net), among others.
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Nobody likes paywalls
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Information should be free for everyone, but good journalism costs a lot of money.

If you enjoyed this article, you can check Aviation.Direct voluntary for a cup of coffee Coffee trail (for them it's free to use).

In doing so, you support the journalistic work of our independent specialist portal for aviation, travel and tourism with a focus on the DA-CH region voluntarily without a paywall requirement.

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