Public transport

Streams of tourists clog up the bus line to Bad Ischl

Big rush: bus route 150 in the direction of Bad Ischl(Bild: Tschepp Markus)

The connection to the Salzkammergut is a weak point in Salzburg's public transport network: tourists ensure that bus route 150 to Bad Ischl is regularly hopelessly overloaded. Commuters are calling for improvements.

Streams of tourists crowd onto the bus. Delays occur. Commuters often can't find a seat after just a few stops. In the high season, this is a daily occurrence on the 150 line, which connects Salzburg with the Salzkammergut.

Asian guests in particular like to get on here. Their schedules are often tight: they want to get to Bad Ischl, then change trains and experience vacation dreams in Hallstatt. Those who are lucky make it onto the bus despite the crowds, but have to stand. The drivers are often confronted with complaints right from the bus stops in Gnigl and get all the frustration from the passengers. "Anyone who has bought a climate ticket also wants to be transported," says one of those affected, explaining that environmentally conscious passengers in particular have no understanding for the congestion.

Calls for more buses in the Salzkammergut direction
Improvements have been demanded for years. Little has happened since then. According to Johannes Gfrerer from the Salzburg Transport Association, the problem is well known. The frequency has already been increased to every half hour. But tourists are still queuing. Gfrerer also refers locals to the 155 bus, which is an alternative to Hof and then continues to Faistenau. Buses with extra capacity are requested.