Yesterday evening, the Eastern Region Transport Association (VOR) celebrated an extraordinary gala as part of its 40th anniversary: the first-ever presentation of the VORward Awards. In the magnificent ambience of the historic Casino Zögernitz, personalities, teams and projects were honored whose innovative strength, commitment and passion significantly shape public transport in the eastern region. In front of around 280 guests from politics, business and the transport industry, the gala became an impressive celebration of mobility that honored the achievements and visions of the people who work behind the scenes every day and make public transport come alive.
An evening for the heroes of public transport
The VORward Gala put the spotlight on all those who work tirelessly to ensure that public transport remains safe, reliable and future-oriented. Be it bus drivers who bring millions of passengers safely to their destination every day, skilled workers in the background who keep operations running, or innovators who continually develop public transport – they all make a crucial contribution to improving mobility in the eastern region remains a role model for efficiency and sustainability.
The winners of the VORward Awards 2024
- Most popular public transport driver
The audience award for the most popular public transport driver, determined by passenger votes on meinbezirk.at and wienerbezirksblatt.at, went to the public Marco Haber von Pichelbauer bus tours. They also made it into the top three most popular public transport drivers Thomas Straßbauer (Burgenland transport company) and Luke Gruber (ÖBB Postbus). The award was presented by Lower Austria’s LH deputy. Udo Landbauer presented, as well as the VORward for innovation in public transport. - Best bus route
The passengers’ choice fell on the B14. This line from the Burgenland transport company connects Oberwart with Eisenstadt via Oberpullendorf and Mattersburg. The three best bus lines in the eastern region also included 13A (Skodagasse – Vienna Main Station) and 550 (Hainburg – Orth/Donau – Vienna Aspernstrasse), operated by Wiener Linien and Dr. Richard. The VORward was handed over by the representatives of the VORward media partners, Thomas Strachota, CEO of the Wiener Bezirksblatt and Gerhard Riedler, CEO of RegionalMedien Vienna and RegionalMedien Niederösterreich. - Best train line
In the category of the best railway lines, the Badner Bahn of the Vienna Local Railways in the public vote. They were also very popular in the passengers’ voting Mariazellerbahn and REX6operated by the Niederösterreich Bahnen or Raaberbahn and ÖBB. This award was presented by Erich Valentin, Vienna city councilor and VOR supervisory board member, as was the award in the “Best Passenger Information” category. - Best passenger information
For their outstanding communication and their service-oriented information offering Vienna lines the VORward for the best passenger information awarded. The expert jury also ranked WESTbahn and the Burgenland transport company in the top 3. - VORward for innovation in public transport
The Austrian Institute for Traffic Data Infrastructure (ÖVDAT) was designed for the graph integration platform GIP awarded the VORward for innovation in public transport. They also made the shortlist of the expert jury Vienna lines for passenger information plus in the subways and the Vienna local railways with an AI-powered bus fleet management tool. - “In front of the curtain”: The VORward “In front of the curtain” applies to teams working in the background who are essential for the functioning of public transport and who are literally brought into the limelight with the award. The choice of the expert jury was that Mobile Service Team the Vienna local railways. The team was also ranked in the top three Disposition of passenger traffic the Raaberbahn – and that Customer support team the Burgenland transport company. The award was presented by Peter Zinggl, Burgenland’s overall traffic coordinator and head of state planning.
- Lifetime Award
The highest honor of the evening, the Lifetime Award, was presented Ernst Weingrill of the Burgenland transport company awarded. This special award was presented by the management of VOR, Karin Zipperer and Alexander Schierhuberhanded over.
Ernst Weingrill was the first bus driver Burgenland transport company and turned his passion into a career. For decades he drove commuters safely to and from Vienna – many even traveled specifically to travel with “their Ernstl”. In 2020 he was the first driver to switch to the Burgenland transport companywhere he converted vehicles, trained drivers and created timetables, and was also elected chairman of the works council. Even after his retirement, he remains an important part of the VBB family and regularly supports driving, passenger counting and timetable optimization.
Voices about the gala
Peter HankeCity Councilor for Finance, Economics, Labor, International Affairs and Wiener Stadtwerke:“40 years of the Eastern Region Transport Association – 40 years in which the VOR has had a lasting impact on mobility and quality of life in Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland. With its mobility offerings, the VOR has been making a significant contribution to the climate-friendly mobility transition and public services for decades – daily, reliably and across national borders. The impressive passenger numbers, which recently once again exceeded the billion mark, underline the success of this commitment. But a strong offer depends on a strong team. Your achievements deserve the highest appreciation and admiration. Vienna is proud to be actively shaping the future of mobility in the eastern region together with the VOR and our partners.”
Udo LandbauerState Council for Infrastructure and Mobility in Lower Austria:Today we celebrate 40 years of the Eastern Region Transport Association – and the people who make public transport possible every day. With their commitment, they ensure that millions of passengers travel safely and comfortably. For four decades, the VOR has stood for innovative mobility solutions, quality of life and economic strength in Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland. The success of public transport is based on the close collaboration of bright minds and committed people. It is our mission to ensure that public transport is carried out punctually and reliably. After all, it only works as well as what is on offer. The VORward Awards now recognize all those who not only enable reliable mobility, but also continuously develop it – and thus make the eastern region a model region for high-quality mobility.”
Heinrich Dorner, Burgenland State Transport Council congratulates all winners of the VORward Awards and is particularly proud of the Lifetime Award, which was awarded to Ernst Weingrill from the Burgenland transport company: “With his tireless efforts over many years, Ernst Weingrill has had a significant impact on public transport. As the first bus driver for the Burgenland transport company, he is a true legend who has brought public transport to life. I would also like to particularly highlight the Burgenland transport company customer support team, whose excellent performance makes an important contribution to the quality and reliability of our public transport and also deserves the highest recognition.”
Karin Zipperer and Alexander Schierhubermanagement of VOR, emphasize: “The VORward Gala makes it clear that the success of public transport is not based solely on technical innovation, but is primarily supported by the people who advance public transport every day with their commitment and commitment. Together we are shaping a future in which mobility is safe, sustainable and accessible to everyone.”
A look into the future
The VORward Gala 2024 sent a powerful signal of appreciation for all those who enable and advance mobility in the eastern region. The VORward award honored outstanding personalities and achievements. “However, our special thanks go to all employees of the public transport companies who do great things every day. There is a dedicated team behind every award winner. Without their tireless efforts, mobility as we know it today would not be possible. Whether in the control center, at the wheel, at the train stations or in maintenance – they are all the true engine of public transport.”
said the management of the VOR.
The Eastern Region Transport Association would like to thank all nominees, winners and guests who made this evening an unforgettable success. With a clear view of the future, the VOR, together with its partners, will continue to actively continue its success story and make public transport innovative, sustainable and people-centered.
Photo rights: VOR/Stefan Diesner
Photo 1: The VORward award winners with Lower Austria’s LH deputy. Udo Landbauer, GR Erich Valentin, Peter Zinggl, overall traffic coordinator for Burgenland and head of state planning, and with the management of VOR, Karin Zipperer and Alexander Schierhuber and with Thomas Strachota, CEO of the Vienna District Gazette and Gerhard Riedler, CEO of RegionalMedien Vienna and RegionalMedien Niederösterreich.
Photo 2: VORward award winner, in the category “Most Popular Public Transport Driver”, Marco Haber from Pichelbauer Busreisen with Udo Landbauer, State Councilor for Infrastructure and Mobility in Lower Austria and presenter Eva Pölzl.