Bus lines canceled

Public transport expansion in reverse gear

Many people in Unterach would like a better public transport service.(Bild: Fotostudio Attersee)

The direct connection from Unterach to Salzburg was cut many years ago. Since then, there have been hardly any improvements, which is why Mayor Georg Baumann is now publicly denouncing the lack of progress in public transport expansion. There are major hurdles for commuters on their way to school or work.

The many positive reports about the sharp increase in public transport users give Georg Baumann, Mayor of Unterach, pause for thought. He is pleased that 36,700 "Upper Austria Climate Tickets" are currently in circulation. "In our municipality, you can probably count the number of ticket holders on one hand," says the ÖVP politician.

Much faster by car
Public transport services have deteriorated rather than improved in recent years. For example, a direct connection to the central Salzburg area has been cut. "It takes me 30 minutes to get to Salzburg by car and one and a half hours by public transport," says Baumann.

Complicated journey to school
There is also room for improvement for schoolchildren: those who have to go to school in Neumarkt don't get home before 7 pm. "But school finishes at 5pm. The waiting time for the next bus to Mondsee is 35 minutes. After half an hour, the bus to Unterrach doesn't leave until 6.47 pm," explains Baumann.

Buses not barrier-free
The list could go on and on. The use of "coaches" for scheduled services is also questionable. "They are not barrier-free and offer no storage space for bikes or baby carriages. No wonder holidaymakers or bathers don't get on."

If there were more bus and train services, there would almost certainly also be more passengers

Georg Baumann, ÖVP-Bürgermeister in Unterach

Baumann described the difficulties to the transport association in a detailed letter. The response aroused mixed feelings and improvements were promised. "But the lack of connections is justified by the lack of passengers. We're going round in circles here. If there were more services, there would be more passengers."