Direct train connection Bolzano-Vienna: A transport policy scandal!

Direct train connection Bolzano-Vienna: A transport policy scandal!

In a surprising step, the South Tyrol state parliament decided by a large majority to cancel the direct Railjet connection from Bolzano to Vienna from 2026. This decision is causing excitement and discontent among many citizens, especially students, commuters and travelers who value Vienna for education, work and leisure. South Tyrol Freedom sharply criticizes this measure and describes it as a step backwards in transport policy that could weaken the connection to the north.

There is even more outrage that millions of euros are being invested in new train connections to Italy at the same time. The party calls for the immediate reversal of this decision and emphasizes the need to specifically expand and improve north-south connections. “We have to stick to the connection to Vienna,” explains a spokesman for Südtiroler Freiheit, thereby expressing the voices of many of those affected.

The importance of connection

The connection to Vienna plays an important role in the lives of many South Tyroleans. It not only benefits students who study in the capital, but also commuters who work there. Vienna is an important destination for education, work and also for tourist purposes. Such connections make everyday life easier for citizens and contribute to the economic and cultural connection between regions.

The call to maintain this connection is part of a broader discussion about transport connections within the EU. Over the last 30 years, the EU's transport policy has increasingly focused on opening up transport markets and creating a trans-European transport network. It is becoming increasingly important to promote sustainable transport systems in order to counteract increasing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector.

The challenges of transport policy

A central aspect of the current discussion concerns the creation of fair competition conditions between different modes of transport and the harmonization of national regulations. The European Court of Justice has long called for a common transport policy that not only promotes economic efficiency but also reduces the transport sector's ecological footprint.

Various initiatives to reduce emissions have been launched, particularly since the publication of the White Paper on European transport policy. The EU is pursuing ambitious goals by 2050, such as reducing CO2 emissions in the transport sector by 90%. This shows that sustainable mobility is not just a trend, but a necessity to protect future generations.

In this context, maintaining the direct connection to Vienna is not only a concern of citizens, but also a necessary step for a coherent transport strategy that takes both economic and ecological aspects into account. South Tyrolean Freedom is at the forefront of the demand for a transport policy that is tailored to the needs of the population.