Supply reduced

Who is to blame for the “phylloxera plight”

The Reblaus-Express has recently enjoyed more passengers - but this year it is running less frequently.

(Bild: weg-erbuer.com)

(Bild: Philipp Monihart)

In the dispute over the excursion train in the Weinviertel region, the operators recently refused to accept blame for the thinning out of the timetable. ÖBB counters.

The dispute over the reduced service on the Reblausexpress route seemed to have been resolved, but regional politicians now want to keep up the pressure: "The solution presented is the minimum required to offer a more attractive service in the important summer holiday month of July," says the mayor of Retz, Stefan Lang.

Criticism of the regional railways
For the ÖVP politician, however, it is also proof that three journeys could very well be possible here: "However, there is clearly a lack of will to maintain the service as early as May," he says, putting the ball in the court of Transport Minister Udo Landbauer. According to NÖVOG, which is the responsibility of the FPÖ provincial councilor, the ÖBB timetable changeover is to blame for the reduced service. "Until last year, however, this was never a problem," rages Lang.

As a tourist town, we are of course particularly dependent on local excursion offers. Many guests use the Reblausexpress for day trips from the Weinviertel to the Waldviertel.

Stefan Lang, Bürgermeister von Retz (ÖVP)

Bild: Philipp Monihart

ÖBB: "That's wrong"
The Federal Railways also see things a little differently: ÖBB had already been informed of the reduction to just two train pairs in August 2023. "At that time, NÖVOG was not even aware of the upcoming timetable change in Retz," says Group spokesperson Christopher Seif. The resulting change to the Reblaus departure times "in the range of minutes" was also not causally related to the reduction in services, he added. And: "It is wrong to hold ÖBB responsible here."

Rather, Seif sees the reasons in the longer journey time from Retz to Drosendorf and the associated higher personnel costs. However, ÖBB does not know why the "Reblaus" suddenly needs ten minutes longer for the route. Seif: "From our point of view, nothing stands in the way of retaining three pairs of trains in the light of a sensible tourist development of the region."

Das sagt Bahnboss Matthä

„Reblaus“ wird für ÖBB zur Chefsache

In the meantime, however, even the big boss has had enough: ÖBB CEO and Chairman of the Board Andres Matthä replied to mayors from the region in response to their protest note. They wanted to know from the railroad boss why the Reblaus-Express is now running less frequently this year despite a record number of passengers last year. And he also emphasizes that ÖBB actually has nothing to do with this, even if this is how Niederösterreich Bahnen recently communicated it. In the letter, Matthä refers to a meeting of the steering committee on April 10.

In recent months, there have been several meetings between representatives of ÖBB and the operators of the Reblaus Express. The goal was always three train pairs.

Andreas Matthä, CEO und Vorstandsvorsitzender der ÖBB Holding

Bild: Andreas Jakwerth/ÖBB

Even then, it had been agreed with the state of Lower Austria that NÖVOG would be responsible for the Reblaus-Express service. "The state has promised to concretize the next steps in this regard together with NÖVOG," it continues. For Matthä, commuters and schoolchildren have priority when drawing up timetables: "An additional tourist offer must be based on their conditions," the railroad boss clarifies.