ÖBB weighs alcohol ban at Linz and Wels stations
Wednesday 12th August 2026 on 18:00 in
Austria
ÖBB is examining an alcohol consumption ban at the main railway stations in Linz and Wels, ORF reported on Wednesday. Alcohol consumption is currently prohibited throughout the station grounds at nine locations across Austria.
The Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure said about one in six security-related reports at ÖBB stations is linked to alcohol consumption.
ÖBB’s current house rules prohibit excessive alcohol consumption. Extending the ban would require the rules to be amended. The proposed measure would cover consumption, not sales: buying alcohol in shops and drinking it in restaurants would remain permitted, ÖBB spokesman Klaus Baumgartner said.
The ministry said busy stations, where most security-related incidents occur, need clear rules rather than interpretations. Stations should also remain places where all people feel comfortable, it said.
The transport ministry said talks with stakeholders, including municipalities and districts, would be needed to determine the geographical limits of any ban. A decision on which stations could be included is expected in the coming months. No stations have yet been confirmed.
Linz and Wels welcome proposal
Linz Deputy Mayor Martin Hajart of the Austrian People’s Party welcomed the plans. He said the Linz People’s Party had been calling for such a measure for years.
“The situation in and around Linz main station is no longer acceptable in terms of safety and cleanliness,” Hajart said. He said excessive alcohol consumption, drugs and related problems contributed significantly to many people feeling uncomfortable and unsafe there. An alcohol ban was therefore long overdue, he said.
Wels security councillor and Deputy Mayor Gerhard Kroiss of the Freedom Party also supported the proposal. He said a ban inside the main station would be positive, but would need to be strictly enforced. The constant presence of ÖBB Operative Services was urgently needed, he said, otherwise the planned ban would have no effect.