Punctuality in rail transport in Austria 2023
Despite challenging conditions, extreme weather conditions, construction activities and delayed train handovers, punctuality was maintained at a high level overall.
Punctuality in long-distance traffic
With a punctuality rate of 83.7%, WESTbahn was the most punctual company in long-distance transportation. Compared to the previous year, however, the company suffered a decline in punctuality from 88% to 83.7%. This was mainly due to the expansion of the route network to Innsbruck and Bregenz and the resulting delays in train handovers from abroad. The ÖBB-Personenverkehr achieved a punctuality rate of 80.3 percent in 2023 (2022: 81.4 percent). The decline is due to a lack of vehicles, weather events (onset of winter in December), delayed train handovers from neighboring countries and construction sites, such as in the "German corner". RegioJet, which operates between Prague, Vienna and Budapest, recorded a punctuality rate of 64.4% in Austria, making it the least punctual long-distance rail company (2022: 53.7%).
Punctuality in ÖBB local transport at 94.2 percent
In 2023, the punctuality of all ÖBB-Personenverkehr transport trains, which is relevant for passenger compensation, was 94.2%. A train is considered punctual in the evaluation if it is delayed by a maximum of five minutes and 29 seconds. Trains delayed by five minutes and 30 seconds or more, train cancellations and unplanned rail replacement services are considered unpunctual.
The main reasons for unpunctual trains were an increase in passenger numbers, vehicle shortages, weather events such as the onset of winter in December 2023 and delayed train handovers from abroad. December was particularly challenging, with many trains delayed or canceled due to heavy snowfall.
Austrian federal states at a glance
Trains in Vorarlberg were once again the most punctual in 2023, with a punctuality rate of 96.6 percent. Upper Austria came last in the punctuality ranking with a punctuality rate of 92.7 percent for ÖBB-Personenverkehr's local services.
Compensation for annual passes
In Austria, the KlimaTicket Österreich, a product of One Mobility Ticketing GmbH, is offered on the one hand and the regional climate tickets or annual route tickets of the seven transport associations on the other. The latter are only valid in the respective transport association (e.g. VVT in Tyrol) or on the selected route.
In the case of annual tickets, compensation is not paid for each individual delayed journey. Instead, a punctuality level has been set by law, below which a flat-rate compensation is paid in a month of validity. This is paid after the expiry of the validity period of the annual travelcard. Those affected are entitled to ten percent of the compensation base in any one month. The basis for compensation is the pro rata ticket price for the rail company minus the price shares for transportation on scheduled bus services or urban transport. Reimbursement amounts of less than four euros may be excluded from payment (de minimis limit).
The legally stipulated punctuality rate varies depending on the annual ticket. For the Klimaticket Austria, a monthly punctuality rate of at least 93% applies to all regional and long-distance trains. For the regional climate tickets or route annual tickets of the seven transport associations, a monthly punctuality rate of at least 95 percent applies for regional trains. The punctuality rate actually achieved for the KlimaTicket Österreich was 94.6% over the whole of 2023. In the months of July, August, September and December, the punctuality rate actually achieved was below the statutory level.
To assert your claim, it is important to register for a refund at klimaticket and with ÖBB-Personenverkehr in the Passenger Rights section.
You can find the complete apf punctuality report here.