Westbahn relies on innovation: New trains and more trust from passengers!

Westbahn relies on innovation: New trains and more trust from passengers!

The Austrian railway market is increasingly characterized by competitive pressure and innovation efforts, as the latest developments at Westbahn make clear. Managing Director Thomas Posch, who has been at the helm of the company since March 2022, has made impressive progress, including the commissioning of four new double-decker trains from the Chinese manufacturer CRRC. This measure results in a 28 percent increase in capacity and marks a significant step towards improving the passenger experience.

In recent years, the Westbahn has established itself as a permanent fixture in Austrian rail transport and now welcomes over six million passengers every year. Posch emphasizes that the positive response from passengers to the international routes, such as the three-times-daily connection from Vienna to Munich and the direct connection to Stuttgart, which has been offered since December 2024, reflects the company's commitment to quality and service.

Demand for value creation and security

Despite the successes, the Westbahn is repeatedly confronted with criticism of the new trains, particularly with regard to European added value and safety standards. Posch emphasizes the need for competition in the rail vehicle market, which is currently oligopolistic and characterized by long delivery times and high prices. These circumstances not only pose challenges for private providers, but also for the entire effort to achieve modern mobility by rail.

To ensure sustainable success, Westbahn plans to respond to increasing demand by 2030. Innovative approaches, such as a bonus points system for frequent travelers, strengthen customer loyalty and underline the commitment to efficiency and quality. Posch aims to ensure that the Westbahn remains the preferred choice for long-distance transport within the next five years and continues to gain the trust of passengers.

Public procurement and its influence

An important aspect for development in the railway sector are the award procedures, which are often characterized by the cheapest purchase price. In Germany, the majority of public tenders in the rail sector are awarded according to this criterion - an approach that often pushes sustainability, efficiency and customer comfort into the background. This was highlighted in a comprehensive study by McKinsey & Company on behalf of the VDB, which emphasizes the need to apply the MEAT criteria (“Most economically advantageous tenders”).

These criteria, which give life cycle costs, sustainability, quality, technical functionality and design more weight than the purchase price, show positive effects on stakeholders and the spirit of innovation in the tenders analyzed. Axel Schuppe, Managing Director of the VDB, calls for these criteria to be consistently applied in order to minimize risks such as supplements and budget overruns.

Deutsche Bahn's award preview also mentions specific infrastructure projects, such as the planning services and environmental projects in the Central German Revier and the Wülknitz 2026 sub-project. These projects illustrate the need for modern and efficient award procedures to ensure a sustainable rail infrastructure.

Westbahn and other private providers are therefore faced with both the challenge and the opportunity to assert their place in national and international rail transport through innovative approaches and a clear commitment to quality and customer orientation.

For further information on current tenders, visit the Deutsche Bahn website or read the VDB study on procurement procedures. In addition, Leadersnet offers comprehensive insights into the developments of the Western Railway and the Austrian railway market.