Construction site alarm: massive restrictions in rail traffic 2025!

Construction site alarm: massive restrictions in rail traffic 2025!

The Ostbahn route from Vienna to Lower Austria to Burgenland is one of the most frequented railway lines. Comprehensive modernization work is currently underway along this important traffic axis, which started in April 2024 and are said to last until the end of 2026. During this time, numerous restrictions on rail traffic can be expected, since the route tracks have to be blocked in sections. The management of the VOR is already asking for understanding for the resulting inconvenience.

The measures carried out as part of the "S-Bahn Vienna upgrade" include a large-scale modernization of the main route and its outdoor branches. These include the renewal of buildings, the extension of platforms and the introduction of the digital train protection system ETCS. A particularly concise example of the upcoming construction work is the lock of the S-Bahn master route between Vienna Floridsdorf and Praterstern, which will take place from June 28 to September 1, 2025, supported by a rail replacement traffic with two bus lines.

construction work and rail replacement traffic

The construction work will also affect the Wulkradersdorf train station in Burgenland, which is expanded into a barrier -free traffic junction. Temporary restrictions can also be expected in the Tullnerfeld between May 12 and June 5, 2025, where repair work is carried out after severe weather damage. The largest construction sites in local transport in 2025 lead to train failures and other rail replacement reversals that are necessary to minimize the effects on the passengers.

In addition, the modernization package "Netzest!" the Viennese lines continued. This not only includes track work, but also modernizations in the subway and tram lines, which are also associated with temporary diversions and replacement lines. Particularly noteworthy are the underground construction sites 2025, which provide the renewal of platforms and tunnel blankets.

passengers and travel times

The travel times in the ÖBB network are influenced by the construction work. The travel time between Gramatneusiedl and Vienna Central Station is 15 minutes, which cannot be realized by rail replacement traffic. Most of the rail replacement buses also hold in Vienna Oberlaa, where passengers can switch directly to the U1 to get to the city center. Valid ÖBB tickets will be accepted from February 3 to October 5, 2025 between Vienna Oberlaa and Vienna Central Station.

context for market development and demand

Developments in the rail transport market in Austria are not without meaning. According to the current market analyzes of the rail control, rail passenger traffic recovered after the dramatic declines during the Covid 19 pandemic. In 2023, a record offer of over 132 million passenger train kilometers was reached, which corresponds to an increase of 3% compared to 2022. In addition, the demand with 328.3 million rail travelers recorded an all -time high, with over 11% growth.

This positive development is supported, among other things, by reviving long -distance transport and the increase in tourist train trips. Nevertheless, competitiveness in rail freight traffic is affected by rising railway power prices, high traction costs and infrastructural restrictions abroad. The rail freight transport itself saw a decline in traffic and 5-6%in 2023, which is due to a weakening industrial production in Europe and a lack of qualified personnel.

Overall, the waiting passengers are faced with a challenging year 2025, in which extensive construction work and modernizations will take place in both the local and long-distance transport, which result in many changes in the rail offer.