Carinthia on the upswing: New transport strategy brings a breath of fresh air!

Carinthia on the upswing: New transport strategy brings a breath of fresh air!

Carinthia has recently experienced significant developments in public transport and economic policy. The Westbahn plans to introduce three high-speed trains from March 1, 2026, which will travel at up to 250 kilometers per hour. These trains will revolutionize train services on the southern route and promise to significantly improve the quality of journey times. Board member Thomas Posch emphasized that these measures are necessary to counteract the existing quality deficiencies in long-distance train transport to Carinthia. “We want to put an end to the quality deficits in rail traffic on the southern route,” explained Posch during a press conference. The new trains will be 202 meters long and offer space for 422 passengers in three classes, including barrier-free access. Additional stops in Vienna Meidling, Wiener Neustadt, Semmering and Bruck an der Mur are also being planned ORF Carinthia reported.

Economic policy action in Carinthia

At the same time, the Economic Policy Advisory Board (WIPOL) presents key recommendations for Carinthia's economic future. This advisory board, which is the only legally anchored body of its kind in Austria, advises the state government on economic strategy issues. The focus is on topics such as education, workforce potential and sustainability in order to position Carinthia as an attractive business location. “The clear goal is that these are implemented and implemented sustainably,” says WIPOL chairman Otmar Petschnig. The recommendations for action presented by WIPOL are intended to help strengthen Carinthia's competitiveness and create the necessary conditions for full employment, especially for women. IV Carinthia reported about the targeted strategy to establish Carinthia as an economic center in the Alps-Adriatic region in the long term.

With the planned introduction of high-speed trains and the clear economic policy objectives of WIPOL, Carinthia is on a promising path. The combination of state-of-the-art transport infrastructure and strategic economic policy could help the state achieve new dynamic growth.