ÖBB plans freight cuts affecting firms in Carinthia and East Tyrol

Plans by Austrian rail operator ÖBB to restrict freight services between Sachsenburg and Sillian could affect companies in East Tyrol and Upper Carinthia, ORF reports. The service carries goods in individual wagons rather than full trains, a form of transport that ÖBB subsidiary Rail Cargo says is unprofitable.

Individual-wagon transport has ended in countries including Italy and Hungary, where it is considered costly because each wagon must be collected from the company sending it and delivered separately to its recipient. ÖBB has continued to offer the service, but is now considering savings measures in consultation with customers.

Companies that could be affected include the Theurl wood company’s plant in Steinfeld and possibly the Hasslacher group in Sachsenburg. Rail Cargo recorded a loss of 135.5 million euros last year. Employees have also criticised the resources spent on the loss-making division, saying they could be used elsewhere.

East Tyrol politicians have strongly criticised the plans. Carinthian Chamber of Commerce President Jürgen Mandl called them a serious setback for the region, while Carinthia’s transport official, Sebastian Schuschnig of the Austrian People’s Party, said he was seeking detailed information. He said the rail line was essential to Upper Carinthia’s economy.

Staff-level talks between the Carinthian government and ÖBB are already under way, Schuschnig’s office said. If ÖBB withdraws from individual-wagon transport entirely, goods would have to move by truck instead. The change could mean an estimated 200,000 additional truck journeys a year across Carinthia.