Sculpture instead of a bus shelter: ÖVP proposal causes controversy in Vienna!

Sculpture instead of a bus shelter: ÖVP proposal causes controversy in Vienna!

What's happening at town hall? Passengers on tram line 2 currently have to make do without a waiting shelter at the “Rathaus” stop. Instead, there is only a wooden bench that offers little protection in bad weather. The reason for the lack of a covered waiting area is the ongoing construction work for the new U5, which is currently redesigning the entire area. The temporary stop is made of concrete slabs, which do not allow for a stable foundation for a bus shelter, as the Vienna public transport network announces. Furthermore, it turns out that a new bus shelter would not make economic sense as it would have a lifespan of around 25 years

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Wiener Linien and the Gewista company, which is responsible for building the bus shelters, rejected the plans for economic reasons. Passengers have to desperately look for a dry place in rain and wind. This creates uncomfortable waiting times that could definitely be avoided in the city.

Art as a solution?

The ÖVP has now put forward a creative proposal to offer waiting passengers at least a little protection from the weather. An art sculpture is planned, which could be available as a temporary solution for the duration of the construction site. Costs of around 16,000 euros are planned, which will be covered by the cultural budget for art in public spaces. The sketches for this sculpture were presented to several district factions, the Wiener Linien, Gewista and various municipal departments in September.

The implementation could be carried out by the architect Markus Szyszkowitz and the master carpenter Weichberger-Hiden. But the plan is not only met with enthusiasm. District leader Martin Fabisch from the Greens and Wiener Linien rejected the proposal. They see it as just an expensive temporary solution with no lasting benefit.

Background of construction sites

The construction work around the town hall is part of the extensive U2 and U5 expansion project. The shell of the underground station of the new U2 is currently being built, while the track construction work at Frankhplatz has already been completed. The tunnel excavation work and the production of the inner shells are also in full swing at the U2 Neubaugasse. Intensive work is also continuing at several other locations, such as the U2 Pilgramgasse and Reinprechtsdorfer Straße.

While these construction projects are important, public transport must also ensure that passengers are not left out in the cold. The current conditions at the town hall raise many questions and make it clear that creative solutions are required.

Art in public spaces as inspiration

A look beyond the borders of Vienna shows that art in public spaces can certainly play an inspiring role. In Hanover, for example, there are numerous installations that make waiting at stops an experience. The bus stops there, which were implemented between 1990 and 1994, not only offer those waiting a place to rest, but also the opportunity to pause at unique works of art. This concept could be a model for Vienna to ease waiting times at least somewhat while construction work progresses.

Until a permanent solution is found for the “Town Hall” stop, passengers can only pass the time and hope that the situation will soon improve.