Landbauer presses ÖBB to improve rail reliability
Friday 16th October 2026 on 19:30 in
Austria
Lower Austria’s deputy governor Udo Landbauer has called on ÖBB to improve punctuality, reduce cancellations and protect connections, ORF reported. In an open letter to the state railway company’s holding board, he cited recurring disruptions, including problems in Wiener Neustadt on Monday.
Landbauer, who is responsible for transport in Lower Austria, said ÖBB must fulfil its public-service obligations. He pointed to persistent delays, cancellations, missed connections and operational disruptions in recent months. Passenger complaints were increasing, he said, adding that people who rely on trains every day needed to be able to count on them running on time.
Landbauer said ÖBB’s 2027–2032 investment plan provides 19.5 billion euros for rail infrastructure, including about 8.86 billion euros for quality and stability. Lower Austria is providing about 114 million euros this year for rail services and contributing about 30 million euros annually to infrastructure projects for local transport.
“There is no shortage of money or investment. What matters is what reaches passengers,” Landbauer said. He praised ÖBB employees’ daily work and said the company’s management was responsible for ensuring reliable services.
On Monday, 21 freight wagons ran away in Wiener Neustadt and two derailed, badly damaging overhead lines. Thousands of passengers were affected by cancellations and delays on long-distance and local services. Passengers also complained about inadequate information.
Earlier in October, an overhead-line fault caused by a squirrel led to several days of disruption on the Eastern Railway. Landbauer also cited extensive cancellations and vehicle shortages on the Southern Railway, problems on Vienna’s suburban rail network after a cable fire, and cancellations on the Franz Joseph, Western and Northern railway lines.
ÖBB said it took feedback and criticism seriously, particularly from a partner sharing responsibility for public transport. The company said it was continually working to improve punctuality and service availability. Technical faults, weather and accidents could not be ruled out entirely despite safety measures, it said, adding that it aimed to limit disruption for passengers and restore services quickly.