ÖBB is upgrading the Vienna S-Bahn to help improve the travel experience and accommodate a growing number of passengers.
By the end of 2027, the main line in Vienna will be modernised and a series of improvements will be implemented on the northern line, the north-west line and the southern line.
Vienna’s S-Bahn opened in 1962 and operates between Vienna Meidling in the south and Vienna Floridsdorf in the north.
Around 700 trains run on the S-Bahn main line each day, serving approximately 250,000 daily passengers.
In order to meet future passenger demands, ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG will complete extensive modernisation work on this line between now and 2027.
A key element of this work will include its transformation to a digital S-Bahn system. European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 will be implemented to control the direction and speed of trains. This will allow services to depart every 2.5 minutes during peak travel times.
ÖBB-Infrastruktur will also complete a series of work to lengthen platforms, thus paving the way for the use of modern, longer local trains, which will increase the number of seats by 40 percent by 2028.
In addition, supporting structures such as viaducts, bridges, tunnels and retaining walls will be modernised, and infrastructure including tracks, switches and overhead lines will be renewed.
Construction will commence in autumn 2023, and the project is expected to be complete by December 2027.
