Rail transport is one of the elements that will lead Europe to achieve climate neutrality. promotes trains as part of the Green Deal. Night connections are becoming more and more popular, with the Austrian State Railways (ÖBB) leading the way in promoting them. For several years, they have been increasing the number of routes on which you can travel at night. In addition to increasing accessibility, ÖBB is also improving the standard of its trains to make night travel an even more attractive alternative to cars and planes.
Austrian railways will introduce modern luxury night trains later this year
ÖBB has just presented a new fleet of night carriers, which will debut in December this year – In addition to increasing the standard of already available night travel options, the new lineup is distinguished by cabins for solo travelers. Each of the new trains, which consist of seven carriages, will accommodate a total of 254 passengers. Two carriages have seats, three have couchettes, and the remaining two are full-fledged sleeping carriages. In the new night trains, you can choose from double cabins with bunk beds in the Comfort Plus or slightly smaller Comfort standard. The couchettes are four-person compartments, but without a bathroom.
The biggest change compared to their counterparts in older trains will be the sleeper cars. Each compartment will be equipped with, among others: in a bathroom with a shower. ÖBB also promises that the beds will be more comfortable than before. There will also be more space for large luggage in sleeping cars, including sports equipment and strollers. In addition, there are to be six racks in each wagon.
The biggest revolution, however, are mini cabins that can accommodate one person and provide privacy. Although they are quite tight, they contain a functional space with a mirror that, when folded, turns into a breakfast table. The mini cabins also have reading lamps and places for shoes and bags.
In addition, each train will have one spacious couchette, two for disabled people who use a wheelchair and two other people. Such compartments also include a toilet designed for people with disabilities. If you want to see what the new ÖBB trains look like, expand the gallery under the main photo of the article.
Trains instead of planes
In 2021, the German Greens showed an idea map for night rail connections between European cities. – There is indeed such an idea and it is being talked about more and more loudly in Europe. What’s more, the first such trains are already here – Austrian railways have started to restore night connections. It is an alternative to flying – said Jakub Majewski, president of the ProKolej foundation, in an interview with Next Gazeta.pl two years ago.
in January 2023, it announced that it would support ten existing or emerging railway projects, including: European Sleeper’s night train project and its plan to launch services from Brussels to Barcelona. – While the demand for green mobility is growing, we need the rail market to respond much better and faster, especially in the case of long and cross-border journeys – said Adina Valean, European Commissioner for Transport, quoted in the release.
Source: Gazeta
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