Federal government approves ÖBB framework plan 2027-2032 "ÖBB framework plan is a clear commitment to the railway"
As part of today's cabinet meeting, the federal government approved the ÖBB framework plan for the period 2027 to 2032. The total volume over six years amounts to around EUR 19.5 billion. Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker and Minister of Mobility Peter Hanke expressly welcome the agreement.
"The federal government commits to shifting to rail and to the necessary access routes to the Brenner base tunnel, in order to reduce the transit burden in Tyrol," explains Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker. In coordination with Tyrol's governor Anton Mattle, as part of the ÖBB framework plan, the Unterinntal route will be implemented as quickly as possible, says Stocker: "By doing so, we are leading the way and showing Germany that Austria has a keen interest in making the Brenner base tunnel a complete success."
For Minister of Mobility Peter Hanke, the high investment volume is a success for the railway and Austria as an infrastructure location: "The new framework plan with a total of EUR 19.5 billion is especially a clear commitment to the railway and the mobility transition of this federal government in light of consolidation requirements. With an annual investment level of over EUR 3 billion, we are once again proving where our focus for future mobility lies: On emission-free transport and a public transport network that meets the demands of a connected and modern society in Central Europe."
From 2027 to 2029, the federal government will invest annually over EUR 3 billion in railway expansion, before EUR 3.2 billion in 2030, EUR 3.3 billion in 2031, then with 2032 a previous record amount of EUR 3.8 billion will be handed over.
Clear expansion plan – Brenner northern access to be fully operational by 2039
Due to consolidation requirements in the dual budget for 2027/2028, a total of around EUR 500 million less was available for these two years in the ÖBB framework plan. Consequently, it was necessary to defer certain individual projects. Three options were on the table: the delay of commissioning the Brenner northern access route in Tyrol, a two-year postponement for commissioning the airport link in Lower Austria, or a deferred schedule for about a dozen expansion projects, spread across Austria. After constructive negotiations, the federal government opted for the postponement of the airport link project.
Minister of Mobility Hanke supports this approach: "In view of the population in Tyrol plagued by transit traffic, it would have been, in my view, the wrong signal to delay the Brenner access routes – both for western Austria and towards Germany. Therefore, we have decided, with the ÖBB framework plan 2027-2032, to currently adhere to the commissioning of Brenner northern access in the year 2039. Future framework plans will be synchronized according to developments in Germany, ensuring that national financial resources continue to be effectively and specifically deployed. We will thereby intensify political and technical coordination with the Federal Republic of Germany. In this matter, we need planning security and clear signals from our neighbours."
Therefore, Federal Chancellor Stocker and Minister of Mobility Hanke will continue intensive exchanges with the Federal Republic of Germany in order to coordinate the mutual expansion of the access routes. The Brenner base tunnel is a European project of the century that requires close cooperation with neighbouring countries to fully realise its transport potential. This also necessitates close coordination for the planned access routes. The common goal is to advance the shift of freight transport from road to rail with such investment-intensive infrastructure projects.
Northern railway and Puchberg railway: Some railway projects to be expedited
In recent months, ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG has conducted a comprehensive review of the ÖBB framework plan. As part of this "ÖBB framework plan inventory", all investment projects were reassessed and prioritised according to their strategic significance. By consistently focusing on key infrastructure measures, not only were additional efficiency potentials tapped, but also several important expansion projects accelerated. For instance, the expansion of the northern railway between Vienna Süßenbrunn and the national border near Bernhardstal will be completed significantly earlier than initially planned, in 2034.
Significant acceleration is also occurring for the new Puchberg railway: Commissioning will happen six years earlier than originally planned. Contributing significantly to this are the much faster approval and authorisation procedures. Another project benefiting from reprioritisation is the modernization of the existing line Attnang-Puchheim – Salzburg main station. Here too, optimised planning and implementation processes allow for faster realization.
"With the framework plan now available, despite necessary consolidation measures, it has been possible to consistently advance the modernization of railway infrastructure. Simultaneously, we are creating the prerequisites for a more attractive, efficient, and future-proof railway offering for passengers in Austria. This approach in view of the drafting of forthcoming framework plan periods also aligns with the general principles of frugality and practicality," concludes Hanke.