Vienna International Rail Industry News

Read the latest headlines about developments in the international rail industry in Vienna and Austria

Austrian Railways: Pöchhacker Opposes to Privatization Plans

Horst Pöchhacker, President of ÖBB´s (Austrian Railways) is against a privatization of the company. Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger (ÖVP) recently suggested to sell ÖBB to Frank Stronach.

September 10, 2012

ÖBB to Become Privatized?

In the summer talks of Austria´s public broadcaster ORF, Vice Chancellor commented that the founder of Magna Frank Stronach should acquire ÖBB (Austrian Railways). A highly controversial debate has begun.

September 8, 2012

Poland as European Logistics Hub

Real estate analysts predict that Poland will become Europe´s logistics hub in 2020.

September 1, 2012

Austrian Railways to Record Profits

In the first six months of 2012, ÖBB (Austrian Railways) has recorded operating profits.

August 16, 2012

Austrian Railways to Record Profits Already in 2012

Christian Kern, CEO of Austrian Railways, explains that the company´s restructuring is going on. The results would be better than the expectations.

July 16, 2012

Austrian Railways and Hungarian MAV to Cooperate

ÖBB and MAV are said to plan a common expansion strategy in Southeastern Europe.

June 25, 2012

Russians Push New Railway Line to Vienna

Russian Railways intends to establish an axis between China and Europe.

June 4, 2012

Mixed Results in Austrian Transport Industry

The transport volume in road freight transport increased in 2011 by almost 4.1%. In the rail sector, the transport volume declined slightly.

May 31, 2012

Massive Demand for Austrian Railway Bonds

The majority of the € 1.0bn bond was placed with high quality institutional investors in Germany, Asia, Austria and France; offering was 3.0x over-subscribed within 30 minutes.

May 10, 2012

Restructuring: Hope at ÖBB

In 2010, Austrian Railways recorded losses of € 330m. CEO Kern could decrease losses to € 28m in 2011. The final turnaround is not achieved yet, Kern says.

April 26, 2012

Scharinger to Enter ÖBB´s Board

The former CEO of RLB Upper Austria becomes supervisory board member at Austrian Railways.

April 25, 2012

Austrian Railways: € 33bn Investment Package Resolved

The Austrian National Council decided the infrastructure package for ÖBB (Austrian Railways). Until 2017, investments of € 33bn will be made.

April 19, 2012

Austrian Railways Aims for Expansion in SEE

ÖBB (Austrian Railways) wants to establish a new freight subsidiary operating in Southeastern Europe. In Austria, ÖBB performs better than expected.

April 16, 2012

Austrian Industry Underlines Importance of „South Axis“

According to a recent study, the Southern Railway (Südbahn) creates 15,000 new jobs. The value creation totals € 15.5bn.

April 12, 2012

Asfinag to Cut Costs by € 2.8bn

The Austrian highway funding company wants to reduce construction costs by € 2.8bn over the next five years.

March 26, 2012

Austrian Railways: Hope for RCA

Rail Cargo Austria, the freight division of Austrian Railways (ÖBB) seems to have achieved the turnaround. In 2010, RCA caused losses of € 67m.

March 10, 2012

Austrian Railways Looking for Partners

ÖBB (Austrian Railways) wants to re-launch its foreign markets with local partners. After 2008, ÖBB had to downsize operations abroad.

February 28, 2012

ÖBB Cuts Early Retirements and Projects

The Austrian Railways (ÖBB) has to reduce costs by € 1.6bn until 2016. The major part is based on cost cuts in infrastructure projects.

February 11, 2012

Kapsch Wins Contract in Ireland

The Austrian toll system supplier wins Irish Rail GSM-R tender for the implementation of a digital train radio system.

February 2, 2012

Do & Co Takes Over Catering at ÖBB

After the successful application, the Austrian catering company Do & Co will serve passengers at ÖBB in future. Do & Co. ÖBB expects to reduce costs.

January 28, 2012

Austrian Railways: Resistance Against Management Arising

The works council as Austrian Railways (ÖBB) wants to prevent the planned reduction in staff. Before that, outsourced service must be reduced, the council states.

January 28, 2012

Austrian Railways Reduced Losses

The Austrian Railways (ÖBB) is still in the red. Nevertheless, losses were lower than initially expected.

January 19, 2012

Alpine Receives Railroad Operator License

The Austrian construction company received official license from the Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology for freight transports today.

December 22, 2011

Austerity Package for Austrian Railways?

According to media reports, the Austrian Railways (ÖBB) faces drastic steps. Among others, a hiring freeze is discussed.

December 19, 2011

Austrian Railways: Losses Amount to € 28.0m

The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) could reduce its expected losses for 2011. Operating results could be positive.

December 12, 2011

Dismal Prospects for Austrian Transport Industry

In spite of satisfying results this year, the domestic transport industry expects worsening conditions in 2012.

November 21, 2011

Siemens Austria to Manufacture Trams Worth € 100m

The German technology group will build 40 new generation vehicles in Vienna, with parts coming from the plant in Graz.

November 18, 2011

Swietelsky and Strabag Win Orders in Romania

The Austrian construction companies were commissioned by the national railways to renovate the infrastructure on two lines.

November 11, 2011

Federal Railways: Debt Burden € 15.2bn

The Austrian Minister of Infrastructure, Doris Bures, announced the amount of debt for Austrian Federal Railways and Asfinag.

November 5, 2011

Sale at Rail Cargo Austria?

The freight traffic division of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) still suffers from its Hungarian subsidiary RCH. A sale to Hungary seems to be possible.

October 15, 2011

ÖVP: Privatization of ÖBB “Unrealistic”

A privatization of the Austrian Federal Railways as suggested by Finance Minister Fekter is not an option at the moment.

October 7, 2011

Czech Railways Orders 16 Railjets from Vienna

Major Order for Siemens Austria from the Czech National Railways Ceske Drahy: the railway group exercises an option, which was reserved for the Austrian Federal Railways originally.

October 3, 2011

ÖBB with Positive Operating Result in First Half of 2011

The Austrian Federal Railways continue their restructuring program. Management expects to leave the loss zone by 2013.

September 29, 2011

New Board Member at ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG

Siegfried Stumpf succeeds Herwig Wiltberger, who retires from the Board on health reasons at the end of November.

September 22, 2011

Turnaround of RCA Is „Very Close“

The restructuring process of the Rail Cargo Hungaria, a subsidiary of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) is going on. The rail cargo segment reports better results than expected.

September 19, 2011

Westbahn Company to Provide Bus Service

The new Austrian competitor to the Federal Railways (ÖBB) intends to extend its transport services to bus lines.

September 13, 2011

ÖBB: “Cargo Business on the Right Track“

The Austrian Federal Railways’ CEO is satisfied with the development of the group’s cargo unit. RCA achieved a positive operating result in the first half of the year.

August 26, 2011

SNCF Acquires Stake in Westbahn

The French national railway company participates with 26% in ÖBB’s new competitor. Operations start on 11 December.

August 24, 2011

Tumpel-Gugerell Appointed to the Supervisory Board of ÖBB

The former central banker will join the Supervisory Board of the Austrian Federal Railways’ holding company.

August 18, 2011

ÖBB’s Debt Will Amount to € 30bn in 2020

Large infrastructure development projects will almost double the Austrian Federal Railways’ debt. In relation to other European countries, Austria spends the second highest amount per capita on the expansion of rail networks.

July 4, 2011

Hungary Considering Buyback of ÖBB’s Rail Cargo Hungaria

The Hungarian state is interested in acquiring a stake in the Austrian Federal Railways’ cargo subsidiary which it privatized in 2008.

June 14, 2011

ÖBB with Capital Injection for Its Italian Freight Business

The Austrian Federal Railways’ subsidiary Linea needs additional funding in order to cover its last year’s losses of € 5.8m.

June 9, 2011

ÖBB: Opposition to Privatization Plans

Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter has sparked a debate about the railway company’s future. Her plans have been criticized from many sides.

June 6, 2011

Rail Freight Transport Increased in 2010

The volume of goods transported on Austrian railways increased by 8.9% in the last year. However, it is still below the level of 2008.

May 31, 2011

ÖBB: No Sale of Loss-Making Rail Cargo Hungaria

The Austrian Federal Railways want to become market leader in rail cargo in Central and Southeastern Europe. € 30m will be invested in Hungary.

May 27, 2011

Surprisingly Good First Quarter Results for ÖBB

The Austrian Federal Railways achieved earnings of € 4.2m before tax in the first three months of 2011. For the full year, however, the company still forecasts a loss.

May 23, 2011

Massive Losses for Federal Railroad

The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) had to report a record loss of € 330m in 2010. CEO Kern speaks of "legacy".

April 30, 2011

Kern Leads an Image Campaign for ÖBB

With humorous content, but caused by the serious situation of the Austrian State Railway, CEO Christian Kern intends to promote greater understanding for the Group.

April 26, 2011

ÖBB Debt Reduction is Further Delayed

The debt of the Federal Railroad increases dramatically through the acquisition of a 25% share in the Brenner Base Tunnel (BBT) project,

April 15, 2011

Decline in Sales for Salzburg AG

The Salzburg AG for energy, transport and telecommunications could hold its profits stable despite falling sales.

April 13, 2011