The regulator’s annual report shows a record supply and demand for passenger transport. Freight transport is recording declines.
Vienna (OTS) – The annual report takes stock of the market data for passenger and freight transport in Austria and the 2023 market survey.
The report is at: http://www.schienencontrol.gv.at/de/presse1.html available
Again records in passenger transport, challenges in freight transport
The passenger transport offering has been extensively improved again through expansions and increased frequency of existing connections and the introduction of new routes. In 2023, a record 132.1 million passenger train kilometers were offered on the Austrian rail network. The decisive factors for this improvement were, among other things, the newly established long-distance and night transport connections from ÖBB passenger transport and WESTbahn.
Demand for passenger transport was also at an all-time high in 2023. The increase in travelers was more than eleven percent compared to the previous year. In total, more than 328 million passengers were transported by Austria’s railway companies. These traveled 14.5 billion passenger kilometers. On average, a passenger traveled 44.3 kilometers on the Austrian rail network – also a record.
In rail freight transport, market data shows a decline in both net and gross tonne kilometers traveled (by 5.2 and 5.0 percent, respectively). “Freight transport is under great pressure and measures are needed now to maintain the modal split and strengthen freight transport as a sustainable form of goods transport
“, says Maria-Theresia Röhsler, Managing Director of Eisenbahn-Control. The net tons transported fell by 6.7 percent. This development is mainly due to the difficult economic environment. In addition to lower industrial production and high energy prices, route closures and personnel problems also made the situation for rail freight transport more difficult.
“Traveling by train is climate protection – which is why I am pleased that our measures and record budgets to strengthen rail transport are having an impact and that the growth trend has continued in 2023. Although there is still room for improvement in freight transport, the increasing number of passenger kilometers is really good news. Thank you to Gleis-Control and all employees for your great work!
” said Leonore Gewessler, Federal Minister for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology.
Market survey 2023 – training facilities top
In an annual survey, the railway companies operating in Austria rated the quality of the training facilities, the allocation of routes and the language skills of the railway staff in Austria as particularly positive. The industry saw a need to catch up in terms of competition from other modes of transport, inconsistent regulations across the EU for issuing safety certificates and official requirements in the area of personnel.
About the rail control
Rail Control GmbH was founded in 1999. On the one hand, it is the regulatory authority for rail transport and, on the other hand, the arbitration board for passenger and passenger rights (apf for short) in Austria.
As a regulatory authority, Eisenbahn-Control controls competition and free access to rail at reasonable prices. This enables and supports fair competition for a better and more successful railway.
Questions & Contact:
Rail Control GmbH
Georg Loderbauer, MA
Public relations/PR
+43 1 5050 707-150
g.loderbauer@schienencontrol.gv.at
http://www.schienencontrol.gv.at