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

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

In Vienna, the U1 subway line has recently been severely restricted after a fire incident severely damaged a Silver Arrow carriage. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when an unoccupied special train between Taubsmutmengasse and the main train station caught fire at around 4:30 p.m. The rapidly spreading flames meant that the Südtiroler Platz and Taubstummengasse stations had to be evacuated. Firefighting teams were able to bring the fire under control within an hour.

The fire not only caused damage to the wagon, but also to the subway shaft itself. The Wiener Linien reported that two employees were injured during the operation. The exact reason for the fire is currently unclear; Police investigations indicate a technical defect, possibly due to a faulty 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 traveling between Reumannplatz and Schwedenplatz, as subway traffic can no longer take place there. However, Wiener Linien has already taken measures. The D and U2Z tram lines will be extended to Reumannplatz, and bus connections have been increased to compensate for the lost capacity.

If you want to get to the main station quickly, you can, for example, take the U3 to Landstrasse and then take the S-Bahn from there. For travelers who want to take the train at the weekend, it might make sense to depart from Westbahnhof or Meidling station, where the situation is less chaotic.

Despite the temporary hurdles, the security of the Vienna subway remains high. Historically, there have been very few personal injury accidents in Vienna and major fires are extremely rare. The last reported incident of this type occurred in December 1991.

The maintenance of the subway vehicles is regulated and the technology is continuously maintained. Fire alarm systems and extinguishing lines in the tunnel sections are important safety precautions to protect passengers. Wiener Linien is now working on cleaning the affected subway shaft and inspecting 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 call button if there is suspicious smoke in the subway and to follow the usual safety procedure.

For more information about the current situation, please see the latest updates www.falter.at.