12 March 2026 Modern battery-powered trains for Lower Austria's regional railways With the timetable 2028/2029, seven more new battery trains will be in operation on regional railways in Lower Austria

Mobility Minister Peter Hanke, Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and Regional Transport Councillor Udo Landbauer jointly ensure the financing for seven more battery-powered trains on Lower Austria's regional railways.

The additional Cityjets of the FLIRT Akku type will be ordered by the austrian federal railways (ÖBB) from Stadler Rail within the framework of a contract. With the timetable 2028/2029, passengers of the Lower Austrian regional railways will benefit from the new rolling stock. The vehicle investment amounts to around 63 million euros, carried out by ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG. The federal government covers approximately 70 percent of the transport service costs, with the state of Lower Austria covering approximately 30 percent. 

With the new battery-powered trains, which include air conditioning and accessible entries among other features, a significant quality improvement for passengers on the mentioned routes is achieved. Starting from 2028, 16 battery-powered trains will be gradually deployed on the Kamptal and Kremserbahn lines between St. Pölten and Horn.

Mobility Minister Peter Hanke sees the investment as a significant improvement in rural public transport: "With this investment, we significantly enhance the travel comfort on regional railways and decarbonise regional transport step by step. Operating battery trains instead of diesel multiple units reduces CO2 emissions by around 1,200 tonnes per year and saves half a million litres of diesel. I am pleased that we were able to initiate this important financing together with the state of Lower Austria."

The Ministry of Mobility thereby makes a relevant contribution to ensuring public services in rural areas of Lower Austria.

Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner: "With the new battery-powered trains, we invest in modern, regional and environmentally friendly mobility in the central area towards Krems and Kamptal as well as Mostviertel on the Erlauftalbahn. Particularly for commuters, this means more comfort, more reliability, and a contemporary connection between home and workplace. At the same time, we also strengthen tourism in Kamptal, Krems and Erlauftal, as attractive railway connections make our excursion and holiday regions even more accessible. Modern trains, better quality, and climate-friendly transport – this is another important step in continuing to strengthen Lower Austria as a strong place for living, working, and tourism."

Regional Transport Councillor Deputy Governor Udo Landbauer emphasises: "With the expansion of the battery train fleet, we clearly commit to our regional railways. The new, additional seven vehicles that will soon be deployed on the Erlauftalbahn line will replace up to 40-year-old, non-accessible diesel multiple units. Thus, we set another milestone for modern public transport for the entire region and significantly enhance the quality of life for our fellow citizens. By deploying a total of 23 new battery-powered trains by 2029, we propel the local transport in Lower Austria into a new era."