Over 500 million passengers by 2024 for Austrian railways

" The figures are satisfactory in a context marked by an economic slowdown and, above all, record flooding at the end of last year in Austria." . It is a general satisfaction that the CEO of ÖBB, Andreas MatthäThe Austrian rail company announced its annual results.

It's a fact, the number of passengers has risen once again, to well over half a billion. With 3.6% more passengers than in 2023, ÖBB actually transported 511.3 million people. And generated a profit of 113.6 million euros, up slightly on 2023.

Over a decade, the railways increased by 27% compared with an 8% increase in the population. " Investment in the railways is paying off, as trains are seen as an efficient means of transport. Never before have so many people travelled by rail." said Andreas Matthä.

Flooding in 2024 weighed on the balance sheet

Last year's floods nevertheless had an impact on ÖBB traffic. Passenger traffic growth in 2024 was driven solely by local trafficup 9.8%. Long-distance traffic, on the other hand, was down. With 46.0 million passengers, traffic was down by 1.1%.

This was due to the floods which paralysed the Weststrecke line linking Vienna to Linz, Salzburg and Germany for several weeks. The floods also had a negative effect on punctuality. 78.2% on mainline trains (a drop of 1.1 points compared with 2023). Nevertheless, at 93.6 % trains on time, ÖBB remains one of Europe's most punctual railway companies.

One of the ÖBB's most successful activities continues to be the operation of night trains "Nightjet. " We are very satisfied, with 1.5 million passengers last year and trains often fully booked. There are, however, problems with regularity, again due to the reconstruction of infrastructure on the western line after the floods." said Andreas Matthä.

Major investments in 2025 and beyond

In 2025, the ÖBB will continue its investment programme. 30 new trains joined the fleet in 2024. ÖBB to receive 122 new trains by 2026.

In terms of infrastructure, work will resume on the western line to bring it up to full standard after the floods. From 12 May to 5 June, trains will be be diverted onto the old line that runs parallel. This will extend 30 minutes journey times.

A major project, which will finally be completed this year: the Koralm line. In the south of the country, it extends over 130 km. It will finally make it possible to link two regional capitals, Graz and Klagenfur, in 45 minutest. " This represents huge economic opportunities, with the creation of a conurbation of one million inhabitants between the two cities. The opening of this new line will make it possible toincrease ÖBB passenger services by around 30 % on long-distance and inter-regional services throughout Austria" said the ÖBB CEO.

The Koralmbahn is also an important section of the European corridor linking the Baltic Sea to the Adriatic Sea. When asked about the possibility of new international connections to Klagenfurt and Graz, Andrea Matthä remained vague. There are no immediate plans, but all options are on the table. The line will be inaugurated in December.

The other major infrastructure project in 2025 is the continuation of work to bury the motorway and railway lines under the Brenner Pass between Austria and Italy. When completed in 2032, this project will enable trains to Innsbruck to Bozen/Bolzanothe capital of South Tyrol, in just one hour. That's half the time it takes today! And to give a major boost to the rail links between Germany and Italy.