ÖBB is investing 19.7 billion euros in the future of rail: This is how it continues!

ÖBB is investing 19.7 billion euros in the future of rail: This is how it continues!

On May 15, 2025, the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) presented its new framework plan for the period 2025-2030. The plan envisages an extensive investment volume of 19.7 billion euros, which will flow into infrastructure and the modernization of rail transport. According to the information from presse-oebb.at The previous investment amount for the period 2024-2029 was put at 21.1 billion euros.

The planned investment level of more than 3.2 billion euros annually is intended to help create an attractive, environmentally friendly mobility offering for the future. A central goal of these investments is to support the mobility transition and strengthen the domestic economy.

Important projects and modernizations

Essential projects in the framework plan include, among other things, the construction of the Koralmbahn, the Semmering Base Tunnel, the Brenner Base Tunnel, the four-track expansion of the western line and the modernization of the S-Bahn in Vienna. In addition, new programs to digitize and modernize railway operations will be introduced in order to increase the railway's efficiency.

The infrastructure projects were examined in detail due to their impact on traffic and economic policy. Some projects are being pushed back quickly to enable budget consolidation. At the same time, strengthening regional railways remains an important focus, with investments in various regional railway projects in Lower Austria, Upper Austria and Styria. The examination of less frequented regional trains in order to develop new transport solutions is also being considered.

Financing and strategic planning

In total, the framework plan earmarks 4.8 billion euros for the maintenance of the existing network. Austria also boasts one of the densest rail networks in the EU, with two thirds of long-distance trains starting or ending abroad. Ensuring long-term network quality and stability has top priority.

The framework plan is drawn up by ÖBB-Infrastructure AG in close cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection (BMK). Agreement is then reached with the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF). The basis of the framework plans is the target network of ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG, which contains transport policy objectives and specifies the development path of the rail network. Both general specifications and specific projects based on cost-effectiveness analyzes and traffic forecasts are prioritized, such as bmimi.gv.at explained.

The framework plans aim to create the integrated regular timetable system and expand route capacity on the main network in order to promote a shift of traffic from road to rail. There is already a technical draft for the desired target network for 2040, which should further advance the framework planning in the future.