Carinthia to pay less for cancelled commuter trains

Carinthia will pay ÖBB less when local trains are cancelled, delayed or replaced with inferior services, ORF reported Saturday. The deductions apply under the contracts governing regional public transport, which is financed by the province.

Phased construction work on the S1 railway line between Villach and Pusarnitz, near Spittal an der Drau, is causing cancelled trains, replacement buses and timetable changes. Work is scheduled to continue until November 8, 2026.

Cancellations deducted from payments

Adrian Plessin, head of the infrastructure department of the Carinthian government, said the province monitors whether and how ÖBB operates local trains. A provincial company works with the federal Rail Infrastructure Service Company to assess the services.

“Cancellations, all delays and also the use of other trains, for example trains that are not accessible or have less seating, are of course charged back to the state of Carinthia,” Plessin said. “The province therefore pays less than agreed in the contract.”

ÖBB acknowledges communication problems

ÖBB Kärnten spokeswoman Rosanna Zernatto Peschel also referred to the contracts with the province. Carinthia provides 20 million euros a year for local public transport, a contribution that is not expected to change next year.

Peschel said she understood passengers’ criticism after they were surprised by cancellations on the route between Pusarnitz, Villach and Spittal. She acknowledged that the planned cancellations had not been communicated sufficiently.