Men in work clothes lay new rails
© Max Döringer

Netz erst recht: Modernisation offensive for our infrastructure

Wiener Linien is continuously expanding its public transport network so that we can continue to provide an efficient public transport service for the growing metropolis of Vienna in the future. In 2024, we are launching a modernisation campaign for our infrastructure: in the coming years, we will be renewing tracks, points, tunnels, bridges, signal boxes, lifts and escalators. Wiener Linien is investing a total of 223 million euros in maintaining and renewing its infrastructure.

Public transport needs a viable infrastructure

a streetcar and a Wiener Linien branded underground station
© Wiener Linien

For many years, Vienna has been regarded as one of the most liveable cities in the world. The excellent public transport system plays a major role in this. At the same time, Vienna is one of the fastest growing cities in the European Union. In order to maintain the high service level, the network must grow with the population. This includes not only the expansion of the network, but also the maintenance of the infrastructure. This is the only way that Wiener Linien can ensure an efficient, cutting-edge public transport service in the future.

Extensive public transport offer and dense intervals put a strain on infrastructure


Wiener Linien's track network has continued to grow over the past decades thanks to the steady expansion of public transport services. New lines were built, existing lines were extended and new routes were implemented. The continuous expansion of services and increasingly dense intervals leave a mark and require appropriate measures. With the modernisation offensive "Netz erst recht", we are therefore placing a strong focus on the renewal of tracks and switches in our network.

There is no alternative to modernisation

Alexandra Reinagl
Alexandra Reinagl
© Luiza Puiu

Vienna's public transport network is one of the best in the world. To keep it that way, the network must not only be expanded, but also consistently maintained. There is no alternative to modernisation. We can only maintain the high level of quality our clients are accustomed to with constant refurbishment and maintenance. This is how we ensure sustainable mobility for the coming decades and thus the quality of life in our city.

Alexandra Reinagl
Chief Executive Officer of Wiener Linien

Modernisation offensive "Netz erst recht"

Netz erst recht logo
© Wiener Linien

In 2024 and 2025, Wiener Linien will modernise almost 20 kilometres of track and over 80 points in the tram network. Wiener Linien is investing 76 million euros in the renewal of the tram tracks alone over the next two years. This increased modernisation work will be made possible by additional funding from the City of Vienna and cost savings resulting from synergies with other departments of the City of Vienna.

In 2024, we have renewed 53 points and almost nine kilometres of track. This corresponds to the footpath from the State Opera to Alterlaa. We have also modernised tunnels, bridges, stops and stations as well as eleven lifts and 29 escalators. In 2025, the newly laid tracks could be used to cover the eleven kilometre walking distance from the Danube Tower to Schönbrunn.

Focus of our modernisations: Renewal of rails and points

Track construction work in Wiedner HauptstraĂźe
Track construction work in Wiedner HauptstraĂźe
© Wiener Linien/Max Döringer

Vienna has the sixth largest tram network in the world. Every day, almost 500 trams and almost 170 underground trains with around two million passengers travel on our tracks, covering over 100,000 kilometres a day. This intensive use requires appropriate measures. With the modernisation offensive, we are placing a strong focus on the renewal of existing tracks and points and thus on the reduction of low-speed sections. In 2024, Wiener Linien invested 223 million euros in maintaining and renewing the infrastructure.

100 construction sites, only a few affect operations

In 2024, Wiener Linien have carried out modernisation work at around 100 locations. Our passengers notice little or nothing of the majority of the refurbishment and repair work, as we are working during non-operational times or planning the work in such a way that it does not affect operations. As a result, only a quarter of the measures will be noticeable to passengers because they will result in restrictions.

Work during the non-operational period only allows for selective improvements

Workers install new tracks at night
Track construction at night
© Wiener Linien
Wherever possible, we work during non-operating hours. However, this time is not enough for extensive modernisation work.

A large number of our track works take place at night after closing time or during ongoing operations. Wiener Linien also frequently uses the holidays for renewals. However, only selective improvements are possible in the limited period of time outside of ongoing operations.

In contrast, major construction sites that we realise with other departments of the City of Vienna - for example large-scale track replacements, underground renewals or tunnel girder renovations - may entail short-term restrictions, but entire sections of road are made fit for the future. This has many advantages: Neighbouring residents only have to deal with a construction site once and, in the best case, benefit from the redesign, while passengers experience clearly noticeable improvements.

For some construction projects, it is therefore more efficient and economical to divide, reroute or shorten a line. The cancellation of an entire line is the absolute exception. As far as possible, this work is carried out during the holidays.

Climate neutrality 2040: prioritising climate-friendly mobility

two Flexity trams in front of the Burgtheater
© Wiener Linien
Vienna has set itself the goal of being climate-neutral by 2040. This means that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions must be drastically reduced. To achieve this, the city is implementing numerous measures. Under the motto "Raus aus dem Asphalt (No more tarmac)", areas are being unsealed, new trees are providing shade, green spaces and water features are cooling down. In the area of mobility, the declared aim is to encourage more people to give up their cars and travel around the city in a climate-friendly way by public transport or bike. In this way, we can reduce harmful CO2 emissions and work together to ensure that Vienna remains a great place to live.

We are Vienna's key to the climate turnaround

an underground train crossing the bridge across Alte Donau against the backdrop of highrise buildings
© Wiener Linien
Vienna will be climate-neutral by 2040. Wiener Stadtwerke is a key partner for the City of Vienna in this regard. In order to achieve a climate-neutral Vienna by 2040, we are looking beyond the boundaries of our various areas of activity. Wiener Stadtwerke focuses on Group-wide innovation and synergies in order to utilise all opportunities for the future. Above all, we are making a tangible, measurable and indispensable contribution to the successful implementation of the city's "Smart Climate City" framework strategy. Wiener Stadtwerke is a driving force and shaper in two fundamental areas in particular: demand-orientated, secure, affordable, environmentally friendly energy supply and climate-friendly mobility.

Facts & figures:

  • 120

    120

    track construction experts work on the inspection and maintenance of our rail infrastructure every day.
  • 672

    672

    kilometres is the total track length of Vienna's public transport network. This corresponds to the distance between Vienna and Florence measured in a straight line.
  • 1,2

    1,2

    million people are regular public transport customers and regularly choose public transport for their journeys through Vienna.
  • 1.816

    1.816

    switches ensure that our vehicles stay on track.
  • 2

    2

    million people a day travel on our trams and underground trains.
  • 5.668

    5.668

    stops are located in Vienna's public transport network.
  • 38

    38

    million kilometres were covered by our trams and underground trains in 2023. This corresponds to 950 circumnavigations of the earth.
  • 100

    100

    switches will be renewed in 2024 and 2025.
  • 10

    10

    to 45 years is the service life of a rail. The actual duration depends on the level of wear.
  • 11

    11

    kilometres of track will be renewed by Wiener Linien in 2025, equivalent to the footpath from the Danube Tower to Schönbrunn.
  • 2

    2

    new tram lines will be built by Wiener Linien by autumn 2025. They will provide even better connections to the public transport network in the second and 22nd districts.
  • 489

    489

    trams and 163 underground trains travel on our tracks every day.
  • 9

    9

    kilometres of track will be renewed by Wiener Linien in 2024, which corresponds to the footpath from the State Opera to Alterlaa.
  • 15

    15

    years is the average service life of a switch.
  • 100.000

    100.000

    kilometres are covered by our trams and underground trains every day.

    That is the equivalent of almost two and a half times round the world.

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