Kern: "We are Struggling for Survival"

People ♦ Published: April 8, 2011; 10:51 ♦ (Vindobona)

The CEO of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), Christian Kern, paints a dramatic picture of the largest domestic transport company.

Kern: "We are Struggling for Survival" / Picture: © ÖBB-Holding AG / Sabine Hauswirth

Urgent measures are needed, particularly in relation to Rail Cargo Austria, the freight division of the ÖBB. "We are in a struggle for survival", is Kern’s diagnosis. "We have to ask our customers, employees and the management for a significant contribution."

This is feasible if early retirement is reduced. The average retirement age continues being much too low. At 52 years…