Ambitious plans for rail cargo in Austria
New Minister of Infrastructure Gerald Klug wants to increase the share of railway in cargo transport to 40 percent in Austria
Investments into infrastructure, new locomotives for short distance transport, the future of cargo transport and apprenticeships with the ÖBB – these were the issues of the first work meeting of Gerald Klug, Minister of Infrastructure and Christian Kern, CEO ÖBB on 1 February.
“Railway is of utmost importance to the industry and economy in this country. Every Euro invested into cargo or local transport makes the railway more attractive as a transport mode, and increases Austria’s competitiveness“, emphasised the Minister during the meeting.
In terms of cargo transport, he aims to further increase the share of railway, “from one third to 40 percent. Austria has a peak position within Europe. Now we want to move one step ahead“, said Gerald Klug, seeing economic but also environmental advantages.
This means more investments: From 2016 new locomotives for cargo transport will be acquired.
In the next six years, about EUR 14.6 billion will be invested to expand rail infrastructure in Austria. In addition to investments into the major rail corridors and cargo terminals, also new railcars for local transport will be acquired.