There is no news that Vienna sets and implements measures to check all categories regarding the most “liveable” city in the world, this is something that has defined the Austrian capital in the past years. The millions of tourists visiting the city stand proof, as well as the studies of big institutions which rank the city among the most liveable cities in the world. For example, in 2016, for at least three consecutive years, Vienna was ranked among the top of the cities with the best quality of life and services. According to the UN habitat Report, Vienna is “the world’s most prosperous city”, while Cities Global Index evaluates Vienna from the point of view of innovation, placing it on the first position.
In 2016, the Vienna Convention Bureau registered 739 international conferences in the Austrian capital. The city is ranked second among conference destinations worldwide in the 2016 statistics produced by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).
The projects implemented by the authorities are aimed to improve city’s quality of life and attractiveness and, as a result, the city registers a constant growth of population, of the economic and financial situations and of all associated subcategories. For example, according to the latest data, in 2015, the city’s population increased by 43,000 citizens, in 2016, the international airport was transited by 23.4 million passengers and the number of international events registered at Vienna Convention Bureau was of 739, Vienna ranking second in the world as the best destination for holding events.
Regarding transport, around 96% of Vienna’s residents live at a short distance of and get easy to the nearest public transport station. Vienna’s public transport has a share of 39%, of which Wiener Linien’s services register a higher increase in the transport share than automotive transport. Thus, the share of services ensured by the public operator covers 27% of the number of journeys.
Last year, 945 million passengers chose Wiener Linien services with an average 2.6 million passengers a day.
The public rail transport system in the Austrian capital consists of 78,5 km of metro network and 220 km of tram, served by 500 trams and 150 metro trains. Moreover, there is also the S-Bahn system, for which, modernisation projects will be implemented at the end of this year, while the number of trains will also be increased to at least three lines. Within this project, by 2020, ÖBB will introduce 64 additional Cityjet trains. There are already several such trains used on six S lines.
A smart metro intersection
Great plans also include the extension and modernisation of the metro system. Today, the metro network measures 78.5 km and is structured on 5 lines. Recently, the authorities have put into operation a 4.6-km extension and 5 stations on U1 line, from the existing Reumannplatz Station to the new Oberlaa Station, in the south. With the opening of this section which required investments of EUR 600 million, U1becomes the longest metro line in the Austrian capital with 19.2 km. A new transport hub has been developed through this project, through Alaudagasse Station, where there are many connections to tram and bus lines.
As of 2018, the authorities will launch the construction works for the extension of the network, initially by 9 km of new railways and 11 stations. Projects are estimated to require investments of EUR 950 million and to create 16,000 jobs. In fact, works include the construction of a new railway and the extension of another, resulting in the intersection between U2 and U5 (the latter being the new line).
The project will see the U2 line extended by 6 km from Rathaus Station to the south. The U5 railway will include the construction of the first section to Frankhplatz/Altes AKH Station measuring 3 km and built to support the driverless system. This line will be the first driverless metro line in Vienna. Also, after the finalisation of works on U5, the authorities plan to extend it from Altes AKH to west by building the section that will serve the new Arne-Carlsson-Park Station and will cross the existing Michelbeuern AKH Station (on U6). The line will also have a new station at Elterleinplatz.
The project on the construction of the new metro sections also includes the development of a new transport hub at Neubaugasse Station (located on U3, in Vienna’s central area), where U2 will undercross the existing U3 (at a depth of 37 metres below ground). The new hub will become the station with the second heaviest traffic of Vienna’s underground transport system. The new stations in Frankhplatz and City Hall will take over around one third of the passengers that currently transit Schottentor Station (a station located in the central area as well, on U2), while Reinprechtsdorfer Straße will be the first metro station located in the centre of Vienna’s 5th district, Margareten. Also, Matzleinsdorfer Platz Station is designed to become the third biggest transport hub in the city.
The development of the U2/U5 intersection will eliminate the missing link of the metro system in Vienna’s central area and will provide for the possibility of transfers to the suburban and the metro railway network (through the new Matzleinsdorfer Platz Station) and will deliver a new connection from Meidling rail station to the central rail station, Hauptbahnhof.
Within the network extension project, Wiener Linien ordered 45 driverless metro trains from Siemens to be delivered as of 2020 with deadline to commission the last vehicles in 2030. Although the vehicles were ordered to be capable to operate driverless, the new trains will be equipped with driver cabs so that they could be operated on other lines too. Part of these vehicles will replace 24 old trains (currently running on U1 and U4).
Apart from the construction of the new section, Vienna Metro also develops the project for the modernisation of U4 line, a project implemented in several phases so as not to impact on everyday services. The finalisation of the entire programme is estimated for 2024.
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