Train services on Monday morning proceeded without major problems despite the significant disruptions. According to corporate spokesman Daniel Pinka, this was mainly due to the extensive preventive measures implemented by ÖBB. In any case, no train on the busy routes encountered a more difficult situation. “The S-Bahn in Vienna also functioned well,” said Pinka.
The western route was interrupted due to severe weather between Vienna Main Station/Vienna West Station and St. Valentin. Long-distance trains of ÖBB are operating between St. Valentin and Salzburg. The Westbahn trains were reported to be in operation between Linz and Salzburg. A mutual ticket recognition agreement between ÖBB and Westbahn has been established. This means passengers with an ÖBB ticket can also use Westbahn trains between St. Valentin and Salzburg, and passengers with a Westbahn ticket can use ÖBB trains.
The ÖBB long-distance service on the southern route had already been suspended at 6:00 PM between Vienna and Mürzzuschlag. Intercity trains and Railjets to and from Carinthia are said to begin and end in Bruck an der Mur, according to ÖBB. Railjets from Graz to Vienna already ended in Mürzzuschlag due to the severe weather. The eastern line was also closed at 6:00 PM between Vienna Main Station and Hegyeshalom. According to ÖBB, Railjets between Prague and Graz are only operating between Prague and Vienna. All Nightjet connections have also been canceled due to the line closures.
Shortly before midnight, the federal railways announced the initiation of a bus emergency service for the closed sections of the southern and western routes. The service is also dependent on current road conditions as well as the availability of staff and buses.
Together with the Postbus, ÖBB aimed to provide a minimal service on the road between Vienna Main Station and Mürzzuschlag and Vienna Main Station and Linz Main Station (without intermediate stops) on Monday. “This is not a replacement service, but is intended for passengers with particularly urgent travel reasons. We ask for consideration in this regard,” said Pinka. There was also no seat guarantee. The departure times in Vienna, Linz, and Mürzzuschlag were scheduled for 6:00, 9:00, 12:00, 15:00, 18:00, and 21:00 hours.
During the first trips, especially passengers in Vienna followed ÖBB’s appeal. “This worked well here,” said Pinka. In Linz, however, the influx was larger. In coordination with the state of Lower Austria, it was also agreed that there would be no scheduled Postbus services in the crisis areas on Monday.
Furthermore, train obligations for all national, international, and night train tickets have been lifted. These are now valid until and including Sunday next week. ÖBB tickets for those trains affected by the travel warning are refundable. ÖBB also requested understanding for longer wait times at customer service.
Passengers are asked to check for restrictions before traveling on ÖBB SCOTTY, oebb.at, or with the ÖBB customer service at 05-17 17. Customer service will be available by phone for passengers from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM during the travel warning period.