2023-11-13 12:58:28
“This is a completely new bogie, everything shines so beautifully,” says an ÖBB technician in a promotional video that is shown on platform 5 at Vienna Central Station. Previously, ÖBB’s new night train flagship – the new Nightjet – made its debut there in front of numerous guests. Those interested might immediately take a look at the interior and the new uniforms of the staff. On Monday at 4 p.m. the new train can be admired for one hour at Salzburg main station.
Initially, the new Nightjet generation will serve the routes from Vienna or Innsbruck to Hamburg and back. The new ÖBB night train will then gradually be used on other existing routes – for example from Vienna to Genoa or to Brussels. From next autumn onwards, ÖBB boss Andreas Matthä announced to guests of honor, train fans and journalists that there will be trips to the EU metropolis every night instead of just three times a week.
“With the new Nightjet, we are consistently continuing to expand our night train business and offer significantly more comfort and privacy with the ultra-modern trains,” says Matthä. “Traveling by train means protecting the climate,” said Transport and Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens).
“We waited a very long time, but in the end it worked,” Matthä said, referring to the Nightjet’s delivery delays. It’s regarding 33 new Nightjet models worth 720 million euros, an ÖBB spokesman said when asked by APA. “We are investing because there is great demand and night trains like the entire railway represent climate protection in action,” says Matthä. “Our goal is to increase the number of night train passengers from 1.5 to three million (per year, note).”
“Someone has to lead the way,” said Patrick Neumann from back-on-track.eu in an APA interview. “It’s nice that it’s the ÖBB. They do what they can – respect,” said the German, whose club is campaigning for more cross-border night train connections in Europe.
Deutsche Bahn sold its night train business to the Austrian Federal Railways years ago. ÖBB is now the night train market leader in Europe. There was also a swipe from the German-born EU ambassador in Vienna, Martin Selmayr: In the next few months you can either travel “with the comfort of the ÖBB” or “retro trains from the DB (Deutsche Bahn, note)”: “A nice symbol what things are like in Europe.” In principle, the ambassador emphasized the climate importance of train traffic. He also hoped that it would be easier to get a seat on the Vienna-Brussels night train in the future, as it is often not that easy. This should get better with announced additional connections.
Gewessler (Greens) also emphasized once once more that the Nightjet to Brussels should be used intensively. After viewing the latest model, it is clear that in the future you will be able to travel overnight with even more comfort and even better work opportunities. The new night train is a “game changer”.
In comparison to air traffic, the railway and climate lobbyist Neumann reminded us of the “unfair competitive advantages that still exist for air traffic”. If flight connections were replaced by train connections in Europe alone, where this is “sensibly possible without banning flying, three percent of the Union’s total greenhouse gas emissions might be saved,” said Neumann, referring to a study that his association had drawn up.
Matthä promoted the “leap in comfort” that the new night train would bring. Each sleeping compartment has a shower, couchettes have a maximum occupancy of four and mini cabins for more privacy. “It’s a completely different driving feeling,” said Matthä – and that also has to do with the bogies mentioned at the beginning, which are of particular interest to the technicians among the train fans.
The new Nightjets consist of seven wagons. There are two seated cars, three couchette cars and two sleeping cars. There is space for a maximum of 254 people. Up to six more bicycles can now be on board. There are two comfort classes in the sleeping car. A “mini cabin” can be booked in the couchette car, which are sleeping capsules for solo travelers. Barrier-free travel is also possible. WiFi is included in the fare. According to ÖBB, windows that are more permeable to cell phones ensure better cell phone reception. The passenger information system is up to date. In addition to conventional ones, there are also USB sockets. Compartments are equipped with an electronic access system with NFC cards and all carriages are equipped with video surveillance.
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