📋 Tender Overview
A new era begins for the passengers of the Summerauerbahn. After the successful modernization and attractiveness, the stations and stops on the line from Linz Central Station via Freistadt to Summerau shine in new splendour. With the celebration on January 24, 2024 at Gaisbach-Wartberg station, the course is set for a successful future. The approximately 61 km long railway line is an important connection for commuters to the Linz metropolitan area as well as for travelers. As part of the modernisation offensive launched in 2017, eleven railway stations were given a contemporary and modern appearance. The aim is to convince even more people to switch to the environmentally friendly railway in the future.
Opening ceremony in Gaisbach-Wartberg
With a ceremony on 24 January in Gaisbach-Wartberg with Judith Engel, Member of the Board of Directors of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG, and Günther Steinkellner, Provincial Councillor for Infrastructure, the modernisation offensive of the Summerau line was symbolically concluded. Passengers will benefit from the comfort of the new stations. From 2017 to 2023, the project partners ÖBB and the Province of Upper Austria invested a total of around 75.7 million euros in making the route more attractive.
ÖBB Infrastructure Board Member Judith Engel: "The newly designed stations along the Linz – Summerau line are a beautiful calling card for the region. Rail is a competitive and green alternative to the car. In this way, we want to appeal to even more passengers in the future. Commuters from Upper Austria in particular will benefit, but there will also be new opportunities for passenger and freight transport across borders to the Czech Republic."
"I am pleased that the largest rail infrastructure offensive in the history of the province of Upper Austria offers numerous improvements for the Mühlviertel and commuters to the central area of Linz. This is an important foundation stone for the modernization of the Summerauerbahn. Now it is important for politicians to resolutely work towards a realignment of the line so that it can be included in the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T) and travel speeds of up to 160 km/h on the Linz-Prague connection," said Provincial Councillor Günther Steinkellner.
From a horse-drawn railway to a modern railway line
The Summerau line leads over historic ground of railway history. Almost 200 years ago, the horse-drawn railway from ?eské Bud?jovice to Linz ran along the route. Thanks to the attractiveness, the line is now fit for the requirements of a modern railway line. This allows for a better offer to the central area of Linz as well as for travellers to Prague.
Passengers can look forward to modern, barrier-free stations as well as a reliable, modern route network. Safety will be increased by abandoning railway crossings and automating operations by means of two electronic interlockings in Lungitz and Gaisbach-Wartberg. Since the end of 2023, the line has been remotely controlled from Linz.
Expansion as part of the Upper Austria package
As part of the Upper Austria package to make the infrastructure more attractive, eleven transport stations were renewed in cooperation with the state: Kefermarkt and Pulgarn (2018), Gaisbach-Wartberg, St. Georgen an der Gusen Ort (2020), Steyregg, Katsdorf, Lungitz (all 2021) as well as St. Georgen an der Gusen and Lasberg (2022). The stations in Freistadt and Summerau (both in 2023) were the finale. The platforms were raised to an edge height of 55 cm throughout in order to enable step-free boarding of modern local trains. Customers have barrier-free access to the trains. In the future, new monitors on the platform will inform passengers in real time about departure times. In addition, several kilometres of tracks were renewed.
Last but not least, the area around the train station in Katsdorf and Lungitz will be adapted. In 2024, a Park & Ride facility will be built at Lungitz station. In addition, an expansion of the P&R plant in Pregarten is planned.
