ÖBB examines more stations for alcohol bans

Austria’s federal railway operator ÖBB is examining whether to extend alcohol bans to more railway stations, ORF reported. The ban currently applies at three locations in Vienna.

Transport Minister Peter Hanke said the alcohol-free zone at Vienna’s Westbahnhof station, introduced in May, had received a positive response from both employees and passengers.

Police have recorded 171 reports at Westbahnhof since the ban was introduced. Alcohol consumption is also prohibited at Praterstern and Floridsdorf stations, where about 6,660 and 208 reports have been recorded respectively. The higher figure at Praterstern is partly because the ban has been in force there since 2018, while it was introduced in Floridsdorf only last year.

At most other stations, ÖBB’s house rules currently prohibit only excessive alcohol consumption. Around one in six security-related reports at ÖBB stations is linked to alcohol consumption, Hanke said. He argued that a ban could improve both staff safety and passengers’ general sense of security.

ÖBB said about 1,700 train attendants complete a full-day de-escalation course each year. From September, voluntary self-defence courses will also be offered.

ÖBB, as the holder of the legal authority over its stations, can introduce alcohol bans by changing its house rules. The operator plans to examine potential locations over the coming months and consult municipalities and districts.

In Vienna, the stations under discussion include Hauptbahnhof, Meidling, Matzleinsdorfer Platz, Wien Mitte, Handelskai, Traisengasse, Liesing, Rennweg, Heiligenstadt and Hütteldorf. The review is expected to produce results in the coming months.