The service Nightjetinaugurated in December 2016continues to expand. TheÖBBthe Oesterreischiche Bundesbahn (Austrian Federal Railways), has established itself as one of the world's leading rail operators. real success for the company, a success that is based in particular on the European awareness for their environment. According to the OBB, its network of night trains in Europe has already made it possible to replace almost 12,000 flights short distance.
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Trains run between Austria and 27 destinations in ten countrieswhich makes it Europe's largest night train operator. With Nightjet, you can travel overnight to Austria from Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bologna, Milan, Rome, Basel and Zurich. In addition 20th January last lines Brussels-Linz-Vienna and Brussels-Munich-Innsbruck. These two sections are being carried out in cooperation with the Belgian railway company SNCB. Both routes operate twice a week, every Wednesday and Sunday.
With the Nightjet, we are reintroducing night trains to Europe
" With the Nightjet, we are reintroducing night trains to Europe, and the direct line to Brussels represents a major step forward for us. making an active contribution to climate protection "As Andreas Matthä, Managing Director of ÖBB Holding AG, explained at the inauguration of the service, which welcomed a small number of MEPs on its first trip. " Making rail transport the real backbone of the mobility at Europe Short- and medium-distance rail is a global project, involving all the players in mobility, whether rail operators, infrastructure managers, legislators, governments or European leaders. In this context, Brussels plays a key role in hubreinforced today by the arrival of the Nightjet "adds Sophie DutordoirManaging Director of SNCB.
Once again, the environmental benefits should be a big hit. According to the ÖBB, a passenger on a Vienna-Brussels flight generates 420 kg of CO2, while the emissions are ten times lower if that person travels by train, in this case 40 kg of C02.
In particular, Nightjet wants to attracting business customers. In addition to a night service with seats, the trains offer couchette cars and sleeping cars claiming a comfort similar to that of hotels. More spartan, the couchette cars are all equipped with one toilet space per car, while a breakfast is available. The compartments come in a configuration of four or six berths.
The sleeper product is best suited to business travellers. It is a a real private travel cabinavailable in standard and luxury categories. The former is equipped with a private washbasin, while the latter offers a shower area. The service includes a bed with sheets and blankets, an individual alarm clock, an à la carte breakfast and a toiletry kit. The staff are at your disposal 24 hours a day. A complementary catering service is available in all travel classes.
New trains and new routes for Nightjet
From 2022ÖBB is promising even greater comfort with new generation trains. Le future Nightjet will offer individual sleeping cabins, while the sleeping cabins will all have their own toilet and shower. showers individual. All trains will also be equipped with internet connections and the cabins redesigned to offer more space.
OBB's Nightjet offer is in fact in line with the railway company's growth on long-distance routes. OBB offers daily 300 rail links long distance of which 50% are on international routes.
For 2020, in addition to the new Nightjet service to Brussels, OBB is launching a direct service from Vienna to Bolzano in Italy (South Tyrol), from Vienna to Krakow via Graz and from Vienna to Satu Mare in Romania via Debrecen in Hungary. Another very important route expected at the end of the year: a Nightjet which will operate between Vienna and Amsterdam.
Still missing Paris perhaps an idea for 2021/2022? In the meantime, French travellers will be able to try the Nightjet on their way to Brussels. Especially as night trains are back in favour with the public after being shunned for years. La Sweden for example, has just announced its intention to create a network of night trains to the rest of the European continent over the next two years...
