First of ÖBB’s next-gen Cityjet double-deckers makes maiden journey
AUSTRIA: Austrian Federal Railways and Stadler have launched the first of 109 new-generation Cityjet double-decker EMUs ordered for local services, with 45 units set for deployment in country’s east by the end of 2026.
The ÖBB and Stadler presented the train at a ceremony at Wien Hauptbahnhof on May 6 before sending it on its inaugural trip to Wiener Neustadt. The launch marks the start of a major rollout for the eastern region.
ÖBB is investing around €1.5bn in the 109 EMUs. This forms part of ÖBB’s largest investment programme, which allocates €6.1bn for the purchase of around 330 new trains by 2030.
The Stadler double-deckers are scheduled to enter passenger service from the end of June on the Wien Floridsdorf – Payerbach/Reichenau route. Their main area of operation in the eastern region will be the north-south axis, including REX services from Znojmo/Retz via the Nordwestbahn and from Břeclav/Bernhardsthal and Wien onwards to Wiener Neustadt and Payerbach-Reichenau.
The 160 km/h EMUs will be delivered in two formations; The six-car version is 160 m long and offers 591 seats, while the four-car version is 107 m long and provides 371 seats.
The interior follows ÖBB’s Cityjet design and includes a low-floor layout, multi-purpose areas in every coach for bicycles, pushchairs and luggage, power sockets with USB ports in every row of seats, free wi-fi, CCTV and a modern passenger information system with real-time information. Two wheelchair spaces are located in a middle coach and are equipped with height-adjustable side tables.
‘We are continuing to invest in greater comfort and capacity in local rail services’, said ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä, adding that ‘the eastern region in particular sees a high volume of rail passengers; this is where we provide around two-thirds of our total local rail services. The new Cityjet double-decker trains not only offer significantly more space, but also greater comfort thanks to spacious multi-purpose areas for bicycles and pushchairs, as well as barrier-free boarding and alighting areas.’
