All aboard: ÖBB and Stadler celebrate maiden journey of the new Cityjet double-decker train

The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and Stadler today held a ceremony at Vienna Central Station to unveil the new Cityjet double-decker train for local transport. The train was then sent on its maiden journey. On its inaugural trip, it travelled from Vienna Central Station to Wiener Neustadt.

ÖBB is investing around €1.5 billion in a total of 109 new, state-of-the-art Cityjet double-decker trains from Stadler. The introduction of these modern double-decker trains is part of ÖBB's largest investment programme, which allocates €6.1 billion for the purchase of a total of around 330 new trains by 2030.

The new double-decker trains from Stadler will initially enter passenger service from the end of June on the Vienna Floridsdorf - Payerbach/Reichenau route. Their main area of operation in the eastern region will be the north-south axis. This includes REX services from Znojmo/Retz via the Nordwestbahn and Břeclav/Bernhardsthal and Vienna on to Wiener Neustadt and Payerbach-Reichenau.

ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä: "We are continuing to invest in greater comfort and capacity in local rail services. In total, we will have 109 new Cityjet double-decker trains from Stadler in service in Lower Austria and Vienna. The eastern region in particular sees a high volume of rail passengers; this is where we provide around two-thirds of our total local rail services. The new Cityjet double-decker trains not only offer significantly more space, but also greater comfort thanks to spacious multi-purpose areas for bicycles and pushchairs, as well as barrier-free boarding and alighting areas."

Mobility Minister Peter Hanke: "Rail is a fundamental lever on our path to the mobility transition. The fact that we are investing record sums in the expansion and modernisation of the Austrian rail network by 2030 is a clear commitment to the fact that we take this task very seriously. In addition, ÖBB is investing 6.1 billion euros in the purchase of more than 300 trains, so that we can provide the people of Austria with state-of-the-art and comfortable rail travel."

Stadler Chairman of the Board of Directors, Peter Spuhler: "This train combines state-of-the-art technology with the highest level of comfort and sets new standards in terms of energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. Together with ÖBB, we are thus not only offering passengers a comfortable journey, but also making an important contribution to sustainable mobility - in Austria and worldwide."

The new flagship of local transport offers a wide range of features that enhance comfort and accessibility for passengers:

• Modern interior design in the Cityjet style

• Comfortable seats

• Spacious, accessible boarding and alighting areas with low-floor design

• Multi-purpose areas in every carriage with space for bicycles, pushchairs and luggage

• Automatic air conditioning in the passenger compartment using a natural and environmentally friendly refrigerant

• Power sockets including USB ports in every row of seats

• Modern passenger information system with real-time information on monitors

• Two dedicated wheelchair spaces in the middle carriage with height-adjustable side tables

• Two to four toilets, one of which is accessible and equipped with a changing table

• Free Wi-Fi and CCTV

• Maximum speed: 160 km/h

• Train length: 160 m (six-carriage formation) or 107 m (four-carriage formation)

• Seating capacity: approx. 591 (six-carriage train) or approx. 371 (four-carriage train)

• Wheelchair spaces: 2 in the middle carriage with height-adjustable side tables