Carinthia's economy demands ÖBB: contractual loyalty for the future!

Carinthia's economy demands ÖBB: contractual loyalty for the future!

The Carinthian economy is currently facing major challenges. As Carinthia's Chamber of Commerce President Jürgen Mandl emphasizes, ÖBB's delayed investments in the Villach-Fürnitz logistics hub are a central concern. Mandl criticizes the fact that no significant progress has been made since the preliminary contract was signed and that ÖBB wants to postpone its agreed performance by two years. This raises questions about contractual compliance, which Mandl vehemently denounces.

Things should actually move forward with a long-term “Memorandum of Understanding”, which is to be signed in February 2024 for 73 million euros. So far, however, much has remained uncertain. Mandl calls on the Carinthian state government to strongly represent the state's interests to the new infrastructure minister and emphasizes the importance of the Koralmbahn and the customs corridor from Fürnitz to the port of Trieste for Carinthia's economic future.

The importance of the Koralmbahn

Carinthia is located at the intersection of two important European rail freight corridors, but Mandl sees the region hampered by delays in ÖBB investments. He criticizes the non-compliance with agreements and calls for a drastic improvement in the situation for Carinthia. Business location advantages should not be lost any further, he warns, pointing to ÖBB's recent investments in Wels, where 70 million euros are being invested in the infrastructure and the Cargo Terminal Graz has been expanded by ten hectares.

However, the completion of the Koralmbahn also offers a ray of hope for the region. The Koralmbahn will be completed two years before it goes into full operation. This new environmentally friendly, barrier-free and diesel-free connection from Klagenfurt to Lavanttal is intended to significantly improve mobility in Carinthia.

Opening celebrations

The ÖBB invites you to a big celebration in St. Paul im Lavanttal on December 7, 2023 to celebrate the completion of the Koralmbahn. The event, which takes place in Lavantpark 1, starts at 11:30 a.m. and offers a colorful program that includes live performances by the band “Solarjet,” stage interviews and tours of the new service and maintenance base. Visitors can encounter old and new rail vehicles and view a photo exhibition on the Koralmbahn project.

In addition, special train journeys between Klagenfurt, St. Paul im Lavanttal and Wolfsberg will be offered on the day of the event. The first train journey from Klagenfurt requires registration, while the remaining journeys and the event are accessible without registration. A regular shuttle service connects the venue with St. Paul im Lavanttal every half hour. Parking spaces are also available and allow visitors to travel comfortably.

The efforts for the Koralmbahn and the associated celebrations are an important step into the future, even if the challenges, as Mandl describes them, cannot be ignored. Carinthia and ÖBB are therefore at the turning point of significant infrastructural development, which is of crucial importance for the entire region.

Further information on the economic demands of the Carinthian economy can be found in the Article on WKO be read. Details about the big celebration on the occasion of the Koralmbahn can be found in ÖBB press article.