WESTbahn challenges ÖBB on southern axis

A WESTbahn SMILE high-speed train operating in Austria. The private operator began services on the Vienna–Graz–Villach corridor on 1 March. Photo: WESTbahn.

AUSTRIA: Private operator WESTbahn has launched services on Austria’s Südbahn, opening direct open-access competition with state-owned ÖBB on the Vienna–Graz–Villach route.

Operations began on 1 March, marking WESTbahn’s first scheduled long-distance entry onto the southern main line. The company is deploying Stadler-built SMILE trainsets designed for operation at up to 250 km/h.

The launch means two long-distance operators now run on one of Austria’s core north–south routes. The line carries a mix of intercity, regional and freight traffic.

WESTbahn has built its business on open-access operations and previously focused on the Vienna–Salzburg western corridor. Entry onto the southern route expands its operations onto a line long operated by ÖBB.

One of Austria’s main north–south rail routes

The Vienna–Graz–Klagenfurt–Villach axis links the capital with Styria and Carinthia and is one of Austria’s main north–south rail routes. Capacity on the line is allocated through a timetable that must accommodate long-distance, regional and freight traffic.

The SMILE trainsets provide WESTbahn with a performance capability comparable to other modern high-speed rolling stock in Austria. Actual journey times depend on infrastructure constraints and the paths allocated.