Train cancellations in Vienna: U1 fire ensures chaos in local transport

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A fire in the U1 leads to massive restrictions in Viennese subway traffic. Find out what is known so far and what alternative options there are for affected passengers.
A fire in the U1 leads to massive restrictions in Viennese subway traffic. Find out what is known so far and what alternative options there are for affected passengers. (Symbolbild/DNAT)

In Vienna, the U1 subway line has recently been severely restricted after a fire incident has severely damaged a silver arrow wagon. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when an unoccupied special train between Taubengasse and the main train station caught fire around 4:30 p.m. The flames that spread rapidly led to the stations of South Tyroleans Platz and Taubengasse to be cleared. Fire fighting teams were able to control the fire within an hour.

The fire not only caused damage to the wagon, but also in the subway shaft itself. The Viennese lines reported that two employees were injured during the mission. The exact reason for the fire is currently still unclear; Investigations by the police indicate a technical defect, possibly due to an incorrect battery.

traffic restrictions and alternative routes

Due to the incidents, around 270,000 passengers are affected by the restrictions every day. This is particularly annoying for commuters who are traveling between Reumannplatz and Schwedenplatz, since no subway traffic can no longer take place there. However, the Viennese lines have already taken measures. The tram lines D and U2Z are extended to Reumannplatz, and the bus connections have been reinforced to compensate for the lost capacities.

If you want to quickly go to the main train station, for example, you have the option of taking the U3 to the country road and continuing from there on the S-Bahn. For travelers who want to take the train at the weekend, it could make sense to leave from the Westbahnhof or train station in Meidling, where the situation is less chaotic.

Despite the temporary hurdles, the safety of the Viennese subway remains high. Historically, there were very few accidents with personal injury in Vienna, and larger fire are extremely rare. The last reported incident of this kind took place in December 1991.

The maintenance of the subway vehicles is regulated, the technology is continuously waited. Fire alarm systems and extinguishing cables in the tunnel sections are important safety precautions to protect passengers. The Viennese lines are now working to clean the affected subway shaft and inspect the damaged rails and electronics in order to be able to put the U1 back into operation.

The Viennese population is asked to immediately press the emergency button in the event of suspicious smoke developments in the subway and to follow the usual security procedure.

For more information about the current situation, the latest updates can be found on www.falter.at .