Will it stay after chaos?

Until the big flood, the railroads were well on track

Rail travel enjoyed increasing popularity in Lower Austria - at least until the flood chaos.(Bild: Marek Knopp)

Every third passenger in Lower Austria used the train more often this year than in the past. The big question, however, is whether this will remain the case after the flood chaos. 

Rail travel was quite good this year until the fall. As many as 88 percent of passengers in Lower Austria were satisfied with their current rail journey in the major rail test conducted by the Verkehrsclub (VCÖ). However, the surveys for this evaluation were carried out between April and June.

Railroads now have some catching up to do
It is doubtful whether the assessment would be as positive after the line closures and train cancellations due to the floods. One thing is certain: The railroads - ÖBB, Westbahn, Mariazellerbahn and Raaberbahn were tested in the wide country - have a lot of ground to make up in terms of customer sympathy after the chaos.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV)

Improved quality and comfort
After all, 30 percent of passengers boarded the train more often than in the previous year. And commuters and travelers were also satisfied with the equipment in the carriages: 79 percent on the lines tested confirmed that the quality and comfort of rail travel had definitely improved.

Passengers are consistently satisfied with the equipment of the carriages and the train staff.(Bild: Marek Knopp)

Unpunctuality as the biggest shortcoming
However, even before the turbulence in the timetable caused by the floods, passengers on the railway between Enns and Leitha felt that there was still room for improvement in terms of the punctuality of trains.

Commuters' wishes still unfulfilled
Also at the top of rail users' wish lists are better network quality for cell phones and Internet in the carriages, more opportunities to take bicycles with them, better coordination with regional bus timetables and more connections outside of traditional commuter times. Mobility expert Michael Schwendinger from the Verkehrsclub also emphasizes this: "Working hours are becoming increasingly flexible. That's why we will need more train services outside peak times in the future."