DistantNews
Support us
Westbahn considers new routes to Kärnten and Lienz
🇦🇹 Austria /Energy & Infrastructure

Westbahn considers new routes to Kärnten and Lienz

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Westbahn has applied to expand its rail services into Kärnten and Lienz, Osttirol, potentially starting from the next timetable change.
  • While applications are filed with Schienencontrol, actual implementation depends on train availability and may not occur by mid-December as hoped.
  • The expansion could offer new routes from Vienna via Salzburg or through the Koralm line, with potential extensions to Saalfelden and Budapest also considered.

Austrian rail operator Westbahn is considering significant route expansions, potentially extending its services into the Kärnten region and reaching Lienz in Osttirol. Applications filed with the regulatory authority Schienencontrol indicate these possibilities, which could benefit areas like Oberkärnten and Osttirol.

The Westbahn of investor Hans Peter Haselsteiner could push further into Carinthia and all the way to Lienz in East Tyrol as early as the coming timetable change.

— Die PresseReporting on Westbahn's expansion plans.

Currently, Westbahn's southern service reaches Villach. The proposed expansion includes options for services from Vienna to Lienz via the Koralm line, or from Vienna West via Salzburg and the Tauernbahn. There's also a noted interest in a route to Budapest Kelenföld and potentially Saalfelden from Vienna West.

Whether the implementation will actually happen is not indicated by such applications – and certainly not whether it will really be by mid-December.

— Die PresseCommenting on the uncertainty of Westbahn's expansion timeline.

While Westbahn founder Hans Peter Haselsteiner has previously expressed eagerness to utilize the new Koralmbahn line, a company spokesperson confirmed the goals but cautioned that implementation by the December timetable change is "open and not currently realistic." The availability of trains, a challenge faced by rail companies across Europe, remains a key factor in realizing these plans.

The goal of implementing the mentioned connections.

— Westbahn spokespersonConfirming Westbahn's objective to expand services.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog