Vienna currently has three long-distance bus stations: Erdberg, operated by Blaguss Reisen, Hauptbahnhof, operated by Postbus and Stadion-Center, operated by Gschwindl. All three locations have in common: They are not quite worthy of a capital city and each of the three bus stations has its own shortcomings.

It has now been decided that the future central long-distance bus station will be built at the stadium center in the second district. The architecture competition has already been concluded and the clients have selected the winning project. The details were presented on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, by Mayor Michael Ludwig together with Finance and Economic City Councilor Peter Hanke and City Councilor for Planning Ulli Sima.

From a total of 27 submitted projects, an expert jury selected the design by the Viennese architecture firm Burtscher-Durig ZT GmbH as the winner of the EU-wide, open, two-stage competition. In addition to the urban planning, architectural and functional solutions, the sustainability of the submitted projects as well as the economic efficiency of construction, operation and maintenance were evaluated.

 “As the most livable city in the world and as a major tourist destination, Vienna needs an attractive, international long-distance bus terminal. Because so far, long-distance bus traffic in Vienna has been divided into three locations. The new central terminal will be the third strong pillar in long-distance passenger transport alongside the airport and the main train station. And it will be a concise business card for the city and an impulse for the surrounding area: modern, clear, well organized in a friendly atmosphere. I am particularly pleased that a Viennese architecture firm succeeded in winning the design competition, ”said Mayor Michael Ludwig.

Striking, light and airy: Landmark and comfort zone

The new long-distance bus terminal is open, bright and clearly arranged. The heart of the winning design is a striking, airy roof that connects the two structures and the traffic floor. The roof landscape consists of alternating glazed and green fields and is not only a weather protection element that allows views in and out, but also a lounge for everyone with seating niches and a terrace.

A path over the roof through the park created there connects the Prater, the Stadion Center and the banks of the Danube. The all-round glazed waiting hall of the terminal offers the opportunity to watch the hustle and bustle while waiting for the bus.

The high-rise above the terminal area was designed as a strong, independent “landmark”. It emphasizes the end of Engerthstrasse, is 90 meters high and is characterized by two-storey building incisions with green winter gardens and a distant view. There is a rooftop bar on the roof of the building.

As a counterpoint, a horizontally aligned building will be erected along the Handelskai, which will accentuate the bus terminal. This "house on the quay" houses the service and administration rooms of the bus terminal in the basement and open-use areas with a view of the Danube on the four upper floors.

Blaguss, Gschwindl and Dr. Richard stand together

More experience is hardly possible: The operating company (BGR Busterminal GmbH), consisting of the companies Blaguss, Gschwindl and Dr. Richard, was awarded the contract in the procedure for the concession and will ensure a well-managed long-distance bus terminal. The team stands for quality, service, high technical standards and state-of-the-art bus fleets. The operator search was carried out via a "negotiation process with prior announcement in the upper threshold area according to the Federal Procurement Law Concessions 2018" and was carried out from June to November 2020.

The search for a suitable investor for the terminal project has also been completed: Donau Busterminal Realisierungs GmbH (Dr. Ariel Muzicant and Dr. Markus Teufel) emerged as the best bidder from the award procedure for the financing and construction. IES Immobilien-Projektentwicklung GmbH will develop the project for the two investors. The procedure was also carried out as a "negotiated procedure with prior announcement in the upper threshold area according to the Federal Procurement Act Concessions 2018" and ran from August 2020 to April 2021.

The property owner remains the WH Fernbus-Terminal Projektentwicklung GmbH, which belongs to Wien Holding, and grants the building rights to the builder and the service concession to the operator. The start of construction is planned for the end of 2022 at the earliest, and commissioning can take place from 2025. The project at Handelskai is an important impetus for the new Waterfront district on the banks of the Danube.

Before construction begins on the new long-distance bus terminal, a replacement must be found for the Sport & Fun Hall that has been operated on the property up to now. The process for this is already underway. The goal is a well-connected and attractive location in the second district, so that the hall is again close to many sports enthusiasts. Ideally, the new location can be used both indoors and outdoors - so it should also have outdoor sports areas.