EUROPE: Plans to launch a through Wien – München passenger service in April 2019 have been announced by Austrian open access operator Westbahn, Transdev’s Bayern regional operator Meridian and Bayern railway authority BEG.
The exact start date is still to be confirmed, but Westbahn said there would be three through trains each way per day, operated as an extension of Westbahn’s Wien – Salzburg service using paths allocated to Meridian services in Germany. The services will be operated using Westbahn’s Stadler Kiss double-deck electric multiple-units, which are already approved for use in Germany.
Services will depart from Wien West at 05.43, 08.43 and 14.43 with a journey time of 4 h 23 min. Trains will leave München Hbf at 08.55, 14.55 or 17.55 and take 4 h 22 min to reach the Austrian capital.
Announcing the new service on November 12, Westbahn CEO Erich Forster said the two operators were proven partners. Although their current services offer journey options with fast connections in Salzburg, passengers want through services with no need to change, he said.
