📋 Tender Overview
A total of 11 elevators and 12 escalators in the public transport network will be modernized by Wiener Linien by the end of 2025 and will provide even more accessibility with new features. The first construction work will begin in January on the U6 Gumpendorfer Straße and at Stephansplatz. Wiener Linien is investing around 6.3 million euros in these modernization measures.
Energy-saving, fast, safe and reliable: After more than 20 years of operation, eleven elevators in the Vienna subway network are being brought up to date with the latest technology. The U6 remains the main focus of modernization work this year. Gumpendorfer Straße was the first to open on January 7. The Michelbeuern-AKH, Perfektastraße, Siebenhirten, Tscherttegasse and Am Schöpfwerk stations will also be equipped with modern elevators in 2025. Stephansplatz and Hütteldorf will also get new elevators.
More accessibility and modern technology
288 elevators in 109 subway stations are currently available to passengers. They travel over 2,000 kilometers a year - that's roughly the distance from Vienna to Cairo as the crow flies. Since 2020, a total of 46 elevators have been upgraded or replaced. The new elevators meet important standards in terms of accessibility, such as acoustic voice announcements for blind people and displays for deaf people. The work takes an average of eight weeks per elevator. During the modernization work, stations with side platforms can be reached barrier-free by changing at neighboring stations with central platforms.
New elevators along the U6
Since 2024, numerous elevators along the U6 have been renovated. Wiener Linien will provide information about this in the stations, on the website and in the WienMobil app. There will be restrictions at the following stations:
Gumpendorfer Straße: January 6th to March 2nd
At the pumping station: 17 March to 11 May, and 1 December 2025 to 1 February 2026
Tscherttegasse: As part of the modernization and improvement of the accessibility of the Tscherttegasse station, the U6 will only stop in the direction of Siebenhirten from spring onwards.
Perfektastraße: October 13th to December 8th, and August 18th to October 12th.
Siebenhirten: July 7 to August 31, and May 12 to July 6
Modern elevator at Stephansplatz
The elevator at Stephansplatz has served its purpose after 34 years. It has made more than 10 million trips. In order to maintain barrier-free access to the Stephansplatz station in the coming decades, modernization is essential. The new elevator will have a modern drive system, a new cabin and elevator doors with concealed door rails that are not damaged by grit - this is particularly important in winter to avoid door malfunctions.
Between January 20th and March 17th, the elevator at Stephansplatz that leads to the surface will be renovated. During this period, barrier-free access to the surface will not be possible. Transfers between U1 and U3 will still be barrier-free. During the work, the city center can be reached with the tram lines on the Ring, with the underground lines U1 (Schwedenplatz, Karlsplatz), U2 (Karlsplatz, Schottenring), U3 (Stubentor, Herrengasse) U4 (Schwedenplatz, Schottenring) and the bus lines 1A, 2A and 3A.
U4 station Hütteldorf gets a new elevator after 30 years
The elevator at Hütteldorf station is also 30 years old and has made more than 6.5 million trips. From May 26 to September 1, the elevator on the U4 platform will be brought up to date with the latest technology. The old, hydraulically operated elevator is a real energy guzzler that no longer meets today's standards. As part of the renovation, a new cable elevator will be installed. This enables energy-efficient operation. A significantly higher operating speed also enables more passengers to be processed. During the 14-week construction period, a new elevator shaft and a new operating room for the control system will be built . During this period, the U4 platform at Hütteldorf station will not be wheelchair accessible. You can get to Hütteldorf wheelchair-accessible by S-Bahn, bus and tram.
12 new escalators will run by the end of 2025
Wiener Linien is also investing in the modernization of its escalators. Since 2020, 86 escalators have already been renovated or replaced where necessary. A further 12 renovations are planned for 2025, including at the Karlsplatz, Jägerstraße, Dresdner Straße and Handelskai stations. The new escalators are characterized by lower energy consumption and increased safety thanks to improved lighting.
Accessibility at Wiener Linien
All subway stations and most tram and bus stops are accessible without barriers. Ramps, elevators and raised road surfaces compensate for the height differences up to the point where you can get into the vehicle. Where there are still barriers, these are being removed step by step in cooperation with the City of Vienna and in coordination with Austria's disability associations. Wiener Linien appeals to passengers to leave the elevators in the public transport network to the people who depend on them.
