Price Increase for ÖBB Tickets "Absolutely Understandable"
The chairman of the Pro Bahn association, Peter Haibach, finds the ÖBB's announced ticket price increase of 3.5 percent from the timetable change on December 14th absolutely understandable.
Pro Bahn Association Can Easily Live with ÖBB Price Increase of 3.5 Percent
"Passengers are well advised to stay with the train and not assume that the car would be cheaper," Haibach said in an APA interview on Wednesday. "From my point of view, they will understand the 3.5 percent." With the new Koralmtunnel offer, "something huge is happening." The personnel issue is important.
The ÖBB is also gradually renewing the rolling stock, with more longer and more low-floor trains being used, according to the rail passenger lobbyist. He also pointed to the possibility of using the climate ticket. Under no circumstances will train travel become too expensive, he noted, comparing it to the car with fuel, toll, tunnel, and maintenance costs.
Also Westbahn Company on Southern Railway: Good for Passengers
Additionally, the competition on the southern railway will now also become stronger, as the majority privately-owned Westbahn of industrialist Hans-Peter Haselsteiner will in the future - not from December, but from March 2026 - also travel via the new route to Carinthia. New trains will be purchased for this: "Super," says Haibach about it. Allegedly, other providers are interested, and in the future, with the Semmering tunnel, the route will become significantly faster and more interesting. Competition is good for the passengers. Connections to Italy would also improve.
"A major challenge, however, is finding personnel," Haibach pointed out. This should also be considered in the upcoming collective bargaining negotiations, where he does not expect any major problems. Haibach hopes for a good conclusion.
ÖBB is looking for thousands of employees. The proportion of women should be increased at all levels, which is succeeding well, for example, with the Salzburg regional railways, according to the Salzburger. "Women's power is in demand."
Association sees a good future for the railway
This is also appropriate for the succession of ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä, whose contract is expected to be extended by one year until summer 2027, which is also fine. The federal railways already have women in the upper management circle for the succession, said Haibach. This applies, among others, to the board member in passenger transport, Sabine Stock. Overall, the future of the railway in Austria is a good one, said Haibach.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.